Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi convened in Brussels this week, signaling renewed commitment to economic collaboration and multilateral dialogue between Europe and Asia. The high-level meeting comes as China and the European Union prepare to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2024.
During Tuesday's discussions, De Wever emphasized Belgium's historical role as a bridge in EU-China relations, noting: "Our countries have maintained active exchanges for decades. Having visited China multiple times, I've witnessed firsthand its remarkable development achievements." The Belgian leader advocated for enhanced communication between Europe and China despite differing perspectives, particularly in addressing complex geopolitical challenges.
Wang Yi, representing the Chinese mainland, acknowledged Belgium's strategic position as home to EU institutions. "We appreciate Belgium's pragmatic approach to bilateral relations and stand ready to deepen our all-round cooperative partnership," stated the senior Chinese diplomat, who also serves on the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
The dialogue highlighted concrete economic opportunities, with Wang emphasizing China's commitment to high-quality development and expanded market access. Both sides expressed interest in reciprocal business environment improvements, particularly in technology and green energy sectors.
Analysts suggest the meeting sets positive momentum ahead of upcoming China-EU leadership talks, with Belgium's pro-multilateralism stance potentially influencing broader European policy directions. The discussions also touched on maintaining stable industrial and supply chain cooperation amid global economic uncertainties.
