Chinese ambassador to Belgium Cao Zhongming. Photo: from Chinese Embassy in Belgium.

 
Even if there are differences between China and Belgium, as long as the two sides mutually respect each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity and core interests, they can overcome differences and engage in effective cooperation, which is the key principle underpinning the sound and steady development of China-Belgium relations, Chinese Ambassador to Belgium Cao Zhongming told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Thursday.

On the same day, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Alexander De Croo began his two-day official visit to China at the invitation of Premier of the State Council Li Qiang.

Cao told the Global Times that the visit reflected the importance both countries attach to boosting bilateral ties and is significant in further promoting the China-Belgium all-round partnership of friendship and cooperation as De Croo is the first Belgian Prime Minister in eight years to visit China, after Charles Michel, now president of the European Council, visited Beijing in 2016. He is also the first state leader from a European country welcomed by China in 2024.

Cao said the two sides will hold in-depth discussions on China-Belgium relations and trade and investment to clarify the new direction for the development of bilateral relations and to explore new prospects for pragmatic cooperation in various fields. They will also exchange views on international and regional issues of mutual concern to jointly explore solutions to a series of significant challenges amid the current intensifying international situation.

A number of Belgian entrepreneurs will also accompany De Croo on his visit, including industry leaders such as Solvay and Bekaert, said Cao. "I believe they will take full advantage of the high-level visit opportunity to engage in in-depth exchanges and collaborative discussions with Chinese officials and the business community to inject new impetus into bilateral economy, trade and investment cooperation," said Cao

Currently at the helm of the rotating six-month presidency of the EU, Belgium is an influential EU member, China-European relations will also be one of the important topics during this visit, Cao pointed out.

In the more than 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have continuously explored a path of friendly coexistence and win-win cooperation despite of different political systems and historical and cultural backgrounds, and China is willing to promote bilateral relations based on mutual respect on each other's  sovereignty, territorial integrity and core interests, Cao said.

China-Belgium relations are reflecting positive momentum in the post-COVID 2023, Cao said, giving examples of expanded cooperation in Belgium's export of agricultural and food products to China, civil aviation services, green development, and climate change after over 80 Chinese delegations visited Belgium. 

Educational, scientific, and cultural exchanges, as well as friendly interactions between provinces and cities, have promoted mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, Cao said.