Recently, President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from renowned Belgian friend Eric Domb, encouraging him to continue to actively promote China-Belgium and China-Europe friendship.

Xi Jinping pointed out that reading Domb's warm letter, he recalled the scene of attending the opening ceremony of the giant panda hall at the Pairi Daiza Zoo with King Philippe and his wife Queen Mathilde, during his visit to Belgium with his wife in 2014. Xi said he was glad to learn that the purple magnolia planted at the Pairi Daiza Zoo has blossomed, and the two giant pandas, China's "envoys of friendship", are also growing up.

Xi Jinping stressed that China is actively advancing Chinese modernization that features harmony between humanity and nature and carrying out major biodiversity conservation projects. A large number of endangered species have been under effective protection, and giant pandas have thereby been downgraded from endangered species to vulnerable ones. China's commitment to a path of high-quality development that prioritizes ecological conservation and features a green and low-carbon mode will provide more opportunities for the world and make greater contributions to human progress. The development of China-Belgium relations cannot be achieved without the long-term efforts and selfless dedication of friendly personages from all walks of life in both countries. Xi Jinping expressed his confidence that Eric Domb and other friends will continue to sow the seeds of friendship, attract more people, especially the younger generation, to actively participate in the cause of friendship and make new contributions to the development of China-Belgium and China-Europe relations.

Recently, President and Founder of the Pairi Daiza Zoo in Belgium Eric Domb sent a letter to President Xi Jinping, recalling President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan’s attendance at the opening ceremony of the giant panda hall at the Pairi Daiza Zoo during their visit to Belgium in March 2014. Domb said that the Chinese garden of the zoo epitomizes the concept of harmonious coexistence between man and nature, and that the Chinese Dream as well as China's development and prosperity will always be opportunities that can be shared.