Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium De Croo

President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Alexander De Croo at the Great Hall of the People, Jan.12. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Alexander De Croo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Jan. 12. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

President Xi Jinping pointed out that China attaches great importance to the development of China Belgium relations. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 53 years ago, China and Belgium have achieved fruitful cooperation in various fields, benefiting the people of both countries. China and Belgium are both beneficiaries of economic globalization and share common interests in resisting protectionism and maintaining free trade. The Chinese side appreciates the Prime Minister's repeated public statements opposing decoupling and disconnection, welcomes Belgian enterprises to invest and develop in China, and is willing to provide them with a good business environment. It also hopes that Belgium can provide a fair, transparent, and non discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises. Both sides can combine their respective advantages to expand cooperation in traditional fields such as transportation and logistics, biopharmaceuticals, and explore creating new growth points for cooperation in green development, digital economy, and other areas. Both sides should encourage government departments, legislative bodies, and local provinces and cities to strengthen exchanges and dialogue, expand two-way tourism and exchange of international students, organize large-scale cultural activities, conduct research on giant panda conservation, continuously enhance mutual understanding and civil friendship, inject new impetus and expand new prospects for China Belgium relations. China is willing to strengthen communication with Belgium within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and engage in cooperation on issues such as addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity.

President Xi Jinping emphasized that China maintains long-term stability in its policy towards Europe and always regards Europe as China's cooperative partner. He hopes that Europe, as an important force in a multipolar world, can play a positive and constructive role. Faced with the ever-changing and intertwined international situation, more "bridges" need to be built between China and Europe. Both sides should cooperate more closely, promote an equal and orderly world multipolarity and inclusive economic globalization, and jointly promote world peace, stability, and prosperity. China is willing to work together with the European side to promote stable and progressive relations between China and Europe in the new year, and hopes that Belgium, as the rotating presidency of the European Union, will play a positive role in this regard.

President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Alexander De Croo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Jan. 12. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo stated that Belgium and China have a long-standing relationship and are at the forefront of European China relations in many aspects. Belgium will continue to adhere to the One China policy. Belgium is willing to engage in frank dialogue with China, deepen understanding, and promote the continuous development of bilateral relations in various fields such as politics and economy. Belgium opposes "decoupling and disconnection" and welcomes Chinese enterprises to cooperate in Belgium. It hopes to strengthen personnel and cultural exchanges with China.   In the current turbulent and intertwined international situation, the world needs China and Europe to work together as partners to strengthen cooperation in promoting global economic growth, addressing climate change, and building a more stable world. Belgium, as the rotating presidency of the European Union, is willing to play a positive role in the development of EU China relations. I hope that my visit to China this time will help elevate Belgium, China, and EU China relations to new heights.

Wang Yi attended the meeting.