Belgian Prime Minister to head for China this weekend

Belgian photographers and painters have stood out for their work of the contest with the theme of Chinese pandas. [Photo provided by Pairi Daiza Park to chinadaily.com.cn]

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel will visit China on 30-31 October, a tour called by Chinese Ambassador to Belgium Qu Xing as further symbol that bilateral relations are being boosted to a "historic high” by leaders of both sides.

Michel's visit will mark the 45th anniversary of Sino-Belgian diplomatic relations, which date from October 1971.

"One of the indicators of our close relations is the high frequency of our high-level exchanges,” said Qu during an interview with China Daily.

Belgium, lies at the heart of the European Union and is among the a host of European countries which have enjoyed "very frequent" high-level exchanges with China. Since 2014, such exchanges have been accelerated.

In 2014 and 2015, the heads-of-state of Belgium and China visited each other, promising to deepen the comprehensive friendly and cooperative partnership. Last year, Premier Li Keqiang visited Belgium and, together with Michel, witnessed the signing of 12 cooperation agreements accounting for more than 20 billion dollars.

During Michel's visit, which was postponed due to the March terrorist attacks in Brussels, Qu said he will meet Chinese leaders and also attend the celebration of the 45th anniversary of bilateral relations organized by Belgian Embassy in China. He will also address a high-level economic and trade forum.

"It will be the first official visit that Charles Michel pays to China as prime minister. I believe it will further bring the cooperation between our two countries to new heights,” said Qu.

After that, the President of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium, Siegfred Bracke, will visit China in December.

On Tuesday, Chinese Embassy in Belgium and Pairi Daiza Park, which is 60 km away from Brussels, jointly awardeded outstanding painters and photographers on their works with the theme of Chinese pandas in the park. [Photo by Fu Jing/chinadaily.com.cn]

On Tuesday, Chinese Embassy in Belgium and Pairi Daiza Park zoo, which is 60 km away from Brussels, jointly organized an event to award outstanding painters and photographers for their works depicting Chinese pandas.

This event is among series of activities organized by Chinese side in Belgium this year to mark the 45th anniversary.

When President Xi Jinping's visited Belgium in early 2014, he and his wife Peng Liyuan attended opening cremony of panda house in the park, which is home to two giant pandas from China, "Xing Hui" and "HaoHao."

In June this year, "Tian Bao" (treasure of the heaven), a baby panda was born. Peng Liyuan and

Belgian Queen Mathilde sent their personal best wishes on the occasion of hundred days of "Tian Bao" who is now becoming another symbol of the China-Belgium friendship.

To contact the reporter: fujing@chinadaily.com.cn