China, Belgium reaffirm commitment to exchanges and multilateralism

China and Belgium reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing exchanges and upholding multilateralism when Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Brussels on Tuesday.

Beijing appreciated the rational and pragmatic approach the new Belgian government takes toward China, Wang said. He added that China was willing to work with Belgium to promote the continuous and stable development of the comprehensive friendly cooperative partnership.

More Belgian companies are welcome to develop in China, Wang said, adding that he hoped Belgium would provide a fair, secure and predictable business environment for Chinese companies.

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, Wang acknowledged the leading role of Belgium in the European integration process and in China-EU exchanges.

The half-century history of China-EU exchanges proves that both sides can fully respect each other and achieve win-win cooperation, Wang said.

Faced with a complex and volatile international situation, Wang said that China and the EU should strengthen communication, enhance understanding, build mutual trust, and jointly maintain multilateralism and the free trade system.

As a result of such efforts, both sides could become a stabilizing anchor for the world and serve as reliable, strong, and mutually beneficial partners for each other, he added.

De Wever told Wang that he was impressed by the development he witnessed in China during his visits there, and pledged his government's firm adherence to the one-China policy.

Despite different perspectives, he emphasized the need for the EU and China to strengthen exchanges and mutual trust in the face of the complex geopolitical situation.

Belgium firmly believes in multilateralism and looks forward to positive results from the EU-China summit, he added.

The pair also discussed the Ukraine issue.