"Belgium will continue to work to strengthen cooperation with China in all fields."

2024.4.19.	\| \| \| \|

"Belgium will continue to work to strengthen cooperation with China in all fields."
Philippe of Belgium chose China to be the first country for his state visit

   Invited by President Xi Jinping, Belgian King Philippe arrived in Beijing for a state visit in China between June 20th and 27th.
   Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with King Philippe at the Great Hall of the People on June 23rd. The two leaders spoke highly of the bilateral relations between China and Belgium, agreed to continue joint efforts to consolidate mutual political trust and pragmatic cooperation through discovering new growth opportunities for both countries and deepening the civil exchanges for a better friendship in the future.
   President Xi pointed out that China attaches great importance to the relationship with Belgium. China views Belgium as an important partner within the European Union, and China is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges, high-level political mutual trust and comprehensive friendship with Belgium. Currently, China is implementing a series of innovation-driven strategies; the two countries can discover the innovation opportunities for extensive cooperation in high-end manufacturing, biological pharmaceuticals, environmental technology, and urban sustainable development. Both sides should also utilize the comprehensive interoperability advantages to promote logistics and cross-border e-commerce between Europe and Asia. The two governments should strengthen policy coordination and planning to create more favorable conditions for promoting bilateral cultural exchanges. Next year will be the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Belgium. China is ready to work together with Belgium to organize many celebration activities to further deepen our friendship.
   King Philippe said that I, as the King of Belgium, chose China to be the first country for my state visit, which shows Belgium's strong and special relationship with China. China's remarkable development achievements and efforts left great impression to Belgium. Belgium highly appreciates China's "One Belt One Road" initiative. As China's reliable partner in Europe, we would like to use our own advantages to become a bridge connecting China and Europe. Belgium will continue to work to strengthen cooperation with China in economy, trade, innovation, education, biotechnology, health care, social security and other fields.
   The two presidents also exchanged views on climate change, common issues and concerns, including the recent situation in the Great Lakes region of Africa. After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in aerospace, customs, science and technology, regional cooperation, nuclear fuel, education and other areas.
   King Philippe was born on April 15, 1960 in Brussels, he is the eldest son of the former King Albert II and Queen Paola . He was ascended the throne on 21 July 2013 as the seventh king of Belgium. Philippe graduated from the Belgian Royal Military Academy in 1981, he has also earned the fighter pilots, paratroopers and commandos qualifications. In 2010, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and Admiral. He has also studied in Oxford Trinity College and the Graduate School of Stanford University for his Master's degree in Political Science. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium in 2002.