by Charge d’affaires a.i.of the Chinese Embassy in Belgium Li Yan
On October 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping and King Philippe of Belgium exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Belgium. Over the past five decades and more, China-Belgium relations have come a long way, with friendship and cooperation remaining the defining feature. At this important juncture, it is particularly meaningful to look back on the journey of mutual understanding and exchanges between the two countries, reflect on the valuable experience gained throughout the development of bilateral relations, and look ahead to the future of friendship and cooperation.
Friendly exchanges between China and Belgium has a long history. More than a century ago, during the World War I, around 12,000 Chinese laborers traveled across oceans to Poperinge and Ypres in Belgium, where they provided logistical support on the front lines, contributing to the victory in the war and Belgium’s post-war reconstruction. Sixty-five years ago, Queen Elisabeth of Belgium resolutely embarked on a visit to China, demonstrating remarkable political foresight. She stood on the Tiananmen Rostrum to witness the celebrations marking the 12th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and had a cordial meeting with Chairman Mao Zedong, an occasion commemorated in a historic photograph. Upon returning to Belgium, she shared her firsthand experience with the world, declaring that excluding China from the United Nations was an “absurd policy” and that there is “only one China, whose heart is Beijing”. Fifty-five years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Resolution 2758, restoring the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations, with Belgium voting in favor. On that very same day, China and Belgium formally established diplomatic relations. This historic convergence laid a solid political foundation for China-Belgium relations and ushered in a new chapter of enduring friendship between the two countries. Over the past half-century and more, China-Belgium relations have stood the test of time, yielding valuable experience for their future development.
First, mutual respect and trust have strengthened the political foundation of China-Belgium relations. Belgium established diplomatic relations with China on the very day that the People’s Republic of China regained its lawful seat in the United Nations, making it one of the first countries to respond to UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and recognize the one-China principle. Over the years, guided by this principle, China-Belgium relations have enjoyed sound and steady development. In 2014, President Xi Jinping paid a historic state visit to Belgium, during which he and King Philippe jointly elevated bilateral relations to an all-round partnership of friendship and cooperation, providing strategic guidance for the development of China-Belgium relations in the new era. Last year, following the formation of Belgium’s new federal government, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot in Brussels. They had in-depth exchanges on China-Belgium relations and the international situation. In the first half of this year, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prévot visited China and met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, injecting fresh momentum into the development of China-Belgium relations.
Second, openness and cooperation have forged strong bonds of mutual benefit between China and Belgium. China-Belgium economic and trade relations are built on complementary strengths and mutual benefit. Our practical cooperation has delivered tangible benefits to our two peoples and contributed to our respective economic development. At the beginning of our diplomatic relations, bilateral trade stood at merely USD 20 million. By 2025, it had reached USD 40.4 billion, an increase of more than 2,000 times. Belgium was among the first Western countries to establish joint ventures in China. Leading Belgian companies such as Solvay, Syensqo, Bekaert and Umicore have contributed to China’s development over the years while reaping substantial benefits. Today, they continue to expand their business in the Chinese market. China has also increased its investment in Belgium. By the end of 2025, China’s stock of direct investment in Belgium had reached a record high of USD 550 million. Chinese-invested projects in Belgium, including the Volvo plant in Ghent, the COSCO Shipping terminal in Zeebrugge and Cainiao’s smart logistics hub in Liège, have continued to strengthen the bonds of mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries. They have created numerous local jobs and helped enhance Belgium’s competitiveness in the manufacturing and logistics sectors.
Third, closer people-to-people ties have laid a solid foundation for friendship between China and Belgium. Relations between countries thrive when their peoples enjoy close bonds, and such bonds grow from mutual understanding and a meeting of hearts and minds. The deep friendship between our two peoples is a powerful driving force behind the development of bilateral relations. Over the past 55 years, China and Belgium have established 33 sister-province and sister-city partnerships, building bridges for cooperation and mutual benefit. Today, more than 30 direct flights connect Brussels with Chinese cities every week, bringing our two peoples closer together. Belgian stories and characters such as The Smurfs and The Adventures of Tintin have become household names in China. Giant pandas and Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys in Belgium have welcomed newborns, becoming beloved stars among the Belgian public. The annual Chinese New Year celebrations have gradually become popular local attractions. Meanwhile, more and more Belgian friends are taking advantage of China’s visa-free policy to visit the country, experience Chinese life firsthand and discover the unique charm of Chinese culture and lifestyle.
We look back on history to draw lessons for the present and chart the course for the future. During his visit to Belgium and the European Union in 2014, President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts with our European friends to build four bridges — bridges of peace, growth, reform and civilization. This vision remains as relevant and important today as ever. Belgium is an important partner of China in Europe and has long played a unique role as a bridge between China and Europe. Looking ahead, China and Belgium should work together to sustain the positive momentum in our bilateral relations, build more bridges and pave the way for closer cooperation, and continue to bring our all-round partnership of friendship and cooperation to new heights, injecting greater stability and positive energy into mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Europe.
First, we should uphold mutual respect.
China and Belgium differ in their history, culture, development paths, political systems and stages of development. Yet these differences did not stand in the way of establishing diplomatic relations or developing bilateral ties in the past, nor should they become obstacles to the further development of our relations in the future. China attaches great importance to its relations with Belgium and has always viewed them from a strategic and long-term perspective. We hope that Belgium will likewise respect the path and system chosen by the Chinese people, respect China’s core interests and major concerns, and support China’s development and prosperity.
Second, we should remain committed to win-win cooperation.
Today, some of our Belgian friends have concerns about cooperation with China, worrying about so-called “unfair competition” and the “China threat”. Looking back on 55 years of cooperation between China and Belgium, we can draw one clear conclusion: China and Belgium are partners and friends who have contributed to each other’s success. A prosperous China represents an opportunity, not a threat, to Belgium. China is now advancing its 15th Five-Year Plan and accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, which aligns closely with Belgium’s goal of enhancing its industrial competitiveness. Our two countries can build on our respective strengths to unlock new potential for cooperation in food, agriculture, logistics, transportation and bio-medicine, while fostering new drivers of economic growth in areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, opening up new prospects for practical cooperation.
Third, we should promote exchanges and mutual learning.
Face-to-face interactions are the most effective way to dispel misunderstandings and prejudices, and to foster mutual trust and friendship. Over the past few years, China has extended its visa-free policy for short-term visits by Belgian citizens several times. We warmly welcome our Belgian friends to visit China and see the country for themselves, to experience firsthand the beauty of its natural landscapes, the richness of its culture and the dynamism of its development, and to discover the real China in all its dimensions.
Fourth, we should uphold multilateralism.
At a time of growing turbulence and uncertainty in the international landscape, China and Belgium are both defenders and practitioners of multilateralism. Our two countries share broad common ground and have ample room for cooperation in addressing global challenges, seeking resolutions to hotspot issues, and advancing governance in emerging areas. Guided by the four global initiatives on development, security, civilization and governance put forward by President Xi Jinping, China stands ready to work with Belgium to deepen mutual understanding, strengthen communication and coordination, and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, contributing to global peace, stability and prosperity.
Standing at a new historical starting point, China stands ready to work with Belgium, under the strategic guidance of our two leaders, to maintain close communication, enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation and strengthen friendship, so as to bring greater benefits to our two countries and two peoples. Together, we can build ever broader bridges of friendship and cooperation, and write a new chapter in China-Belgium all-round partnership of friendship and cooperation.
