Premier Li meets with Belgian Prime Minister

China is willing to see a united and prosperous Europe and expand two-way opening-up while safeguarding free trade, Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday in Brussels.

Li made the statement when meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel in the European Union member's capital.

China's relations with Belgium are a vital part of its ties with the EU, and Belgium is expected to continue playing a positive role in promoting the development of China-EU relations, Li said.

The premier spoke highly of current relations between the two countries and said China will strengthen cooperation with Belgium in diverse fields and exchanges in regional and international affairs. He called on both countries to fully carry out consensuses that have been reached to make new progress in their all-round partnership of friendship and cooperation.

China is willing to import more high-value-added Belgian products that cater to demands in the Chinese market, and Belgium is welcome to participate in the second China International Import Expo later this year, Li said.

In the meantime, the world's second-largest economy will work with Belgium to fully implement the memorandum of understanding for third-party market cooperation to enhance their cooperation in Africa, the premier added.

Michel said Belgium has attached great importance to its relations with China and will deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, agriculture and ship-building. He said he hopes the China-EU leaders' meeting will be a success and safeguard multilateralism and promote trade.