国内英语资讯:China, Belgium seek stronger cooperation as Belgian PM visits_时事

国内英语资讯:China, Belgium seek stronger cooperation as Belgian PM visits

Michel is on an official visit to China from Sunday to Tuesday, as the two countries celebrate the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

He recalled Xi's state visit to Belgium in 2014 and Belgian King Philippe's return visit last year, vowing to cement cooperation with China in diversified areas, including investment, innovation, aviation, new energy and infrastructure.

Belgium is committed to boosting EU-China ties featuring mutual trust and mutual benefit, he added.

The two countries signed a series of cooperation agreements on Monday afternoon including two treaties on extradition and criminal transfer, and a letter of intent on opening flights between Shanghai and Brussels.

In the talks with Michel, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang urged Brussels to relax restrictions on high-tech exports to China, and called for stronger bilateral cooperation in technological innovation, advanced manufacturing and security.

He hoped Belgium would promote China-EU negotiations on a bilateral investment agreement and a feasibility study on a China-EU Free Trade Area, to send a signal to jointly fight against trade protectionism and boost stable growth of two-way trade.

Michel said that Belgium will stick to free trade and is committed to expanding cooperation with China in areas including agriculture, information and communication, finance and insurance.

Brussels is ready to deal with issues related to the EU's WTO obligations in a positive and pragmatic manner, Michel said, vowing to facilitate negotiations on the EU-China investment agreement.