Chinese pandas to arrive in Brussels in spring: Ambassador

China and Belgium are working intensively for preparing two Chinese giant pandas' arrival in Belgium next spring, said Liao Liqiang, Chinese Ambassador to Belgium, on Nov 29.

According to him, along with the pandas' arrival, China will focus on strengthening bilateral cultural cooperation and deepen people-to-people exchanges of people-to-people exchanges next year.

Liao said that in 2014 there will be three important activities to promote cultural exchanges between the two countries.

First, two Chinese giant pandas will arrive in spring. Xing Hui and Hao Hao will become China's friendship messengers to Belgium.

"They symbolize bilateral long-term friendship and will also further promote China-Belgium mutual understanding and friendship, " he said.

A Belgian zoo, Pairi Daiza, which means enclosed garden in ancient Persian, will host the two pandas soon. It is situated about 60 km south of Brussels.

A panda venue, including day and night chambers, is under construction and located inside the zoo's Chinese garden. Two pandas' night chambers cover 17 square meters each. Their private chambers give each panda about 40 square meters.

Second is the establishment of Chinese cultural centre in Brussels. According to Liao, the centre is expected to be unveiled next year, providing a new platform for cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Third, rules and policies of strengthening personnel exchanges will be improved, including the facilitation of visas.

Finally, Ambassador Liao said China's comprehensive reform and stable economic development will create tremendous business opportunities for Europe. Preliminary estimates say that by the year 2020, China will import about $ 3 trillion goods from Europe. China's reform and development will deepen cooperation which is not only benefiting the Chinese people, but also the people in Europe.