China, Belgium pledge deeper cooperation, support multilateral trade

BEIJING: He Lifeng on Thursday called for strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Belgium, urging both sides to advance bilateral ties and contribute to stable China-EU relations.

The remarks came during his meeting with Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

He Lifeng noted that the two countries have maintained a strong cooperative relationship since establishing diplomatic ties 55 years ago, highlighting progress in sectors such as medicine, chemicals, finance and logistics. He said continued collaboration would help sustain the positive trajectory of both bilateral relations and broader ties between China and the European Union.

Emphasizing the importance of multilateralism and an open global economy, the Chinese vice premier said both countries should build on their tradition of win-win cooperation to navigate current global challenges.

Prevot described Belgium and China as comprehensive cooperative partners, expressing readiness to use the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to expand cooperation, particularly in trade and economic sectors, while jointly supporting free trade and multilateral frameworks.

The meeting underscored shared commitments by both sides to deepen engagement and reinforce stability in international economic relations amid evolving global dynamics.