Li Keqiang Holds Talks with Prime Minister Charles Michel of Belgium, Stressing to Consolidate Mutual Trust and Deepen Cooperation to Promote the Development of China-Belgium All-Round Friendly Cooperative Partnership

On the afternoon of June 2, 2017 local time, Premier Li Keqiang held talks with Prime Minister Charles Michel of Belgium at the Château of Val-Duchesse in Brussels.

Li Keqiang said that China-Belgium relations have achieved a healthy and stable development and have been increasingly strengthened. China is willing to, together with Belgium, consolidate mutual trust, deepen cooperation in key areas, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and intensify communication and coordination in international and regional affairs so as to promote China-Belgium all-round friendly cooperative partnership for new progress.

Li Keqiang pointed out that under the current international political and economic situation, both sides should be committed to maintaining a fair and free global trade and investment system, expanding mutual openness, sharing development opportunities and jointly coping with the challenges.

Li Keqiang emphasized that Belgium is where the EU headquarters located and it is also an important member of EU. The sound China-Belgium relations will be conducive to the development of China-Europe relations. The Chinese side believes that the compliance with the regulations, rules and commitment ever made is crucial to international relations. This indicates that relevant international rules must be observed, including those of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The EU shall fulfill its obligations in Article 15 of the Protocol on China's Accession to the WTO. It is hoped that Belgium will play a positive role in promoting the EU's fulfillment of its commitment, so as to create conditions for the healthy and stable development of China-Europe relations.

Charles Michel said that Belgium-China relations have made substantial progress and bilateral cooperation has constantly yielded fruitful results. Belgium is willing to consolidate mutual trust and deepen cooperation in various areas such as economy, trade, investment, science, technology, innovation, infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism with China. Belgium pays high attention to China's important role in international affairs and stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China, so as to jointly contribute to global peace and stability. Belgium believes that the international rules should be observed and the commitments made shall be honored. Belgium is willing to play a positive role in fulfilling EU's obligations in Article 15 of the Protocol on China's Accession to the WTO.

Both sides also exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of common concern.

After the talks, Li Keqiang and Charles Michel witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents in infrastructure, industry, quality inspection, telecommunication, logistics, ports and other fields.

Prior to the talks, Charles Michel held a grand welcoming ceremony for Li Keqiang at the square of the Château of Val-Duchesse. The national flags of China and Belgium were flying in parallel in the sun with the wind. Li Keqiang and Charles Michel walked together onto the review stand, and the military band played the national anthems of the two countries. Li Keqiang, in the company of Charles Michel, reviewed the guard of honor.