Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao raised a four-point proposal
on Wednesday for promoting Sino-Belgian relations.
Wen made the proposal when meeting with Belgian Prime Minister
Guy Verhofstadt?in Brussels?Wednesday afternoon,
according to a press release from the Chinese delegation.
Wen was quoted by the release as saying China attaches great
importance to developing relations with Belgium, regards Belgium as
its trustworthy partner and is willing to push the relations to a
new high.
To achieve new progress in the two countries' ties, Premier Wen
put forward a four-point proposal:
-- To maintain high-level exchanges of visits to increase mutual
understanding;
-- To strengthen dialogue and consultation and expand
cooperation, particularly on bilateral and multilateral issues;
-- To establish a long-term and stable economic and trade
partnership between the two countries. China welcomes Belgian
businesses to invest in agriculture, environmental protection, and
the high-tech and energy sectors in China; and
-- To increase cooperation in other fields such as education,
science and technology and health.
Wen is the first foreign head of government to visit the EU
headquarters after the organization's latest, also largest,
enlargement on May 1, in which 10 countries were admitted to the
bloc, increasing its number of members to 25.
During his talks with Verhofstadt, Wen said the enlargement
reflects the will of the European people for a more powerful Europe
and more integration.
A powerful and stable EU will constructively influence
international affairs, Wen said.
On his part, Verhofstadt said China and Belgium are enjoying a
good relationship, which has seen significant progress these
years.
Belgium hopes to enhance political dialogue, and expand economic
and trade cooperation with China, he said, adding that his country
will encourage small- and medium-sized businesses to do business in
China.
Meanwhile, Verhofstadt stressed that his government sticks to
the one-China policy, supports an early lifting of the EU ban on
arms sales to China and backs the recognition of China's full
market economy status.
Following their talks, Wen and Verhofstadt signed a joint
declaration on reinforcing political dialogue. In the document, the
two sides reiterated their political will to further activate and
enrich bilateral cooperation in a wide range of fields.
The declaration laid out various approaches for enhancing the
dialogue.
The two sides agreed that foreign ministers or other cabinet
ministers of the two countries should exchange visits at least once
a year.
Meetings will be arranged between Chinese and Belgian foreign
ministers on occasions like the UN General Assembly.
The two sides also agreed to keep the momentum of high-level
exchanges of visits including meetings between heads of state or
government of the two countries.
In addition, the two sides signed the Articles of Association of
China-Belgium Equity Investment Fund (AACBEIF), a fund aimed at
encouraging small- and medium-sized Belgian firms to invest in
China.
Speaking at a joint press conference following the talks, Wen
said his visit to Belgium marks three "firsts."
This is his first visit to Belgium since taking office as
Chinese premier; the joint declaration on reinforcing political
dialogue is the first such document China has signed with a foreign
country; and the AACBEIF is also the first such articles China has
ever signed with a foreign country.
Meanwhile, the premier also expressed the hope for expanding
bilateral trade, saying that although trade between China and
Belgium hit US$6.7 billion last year, there is still room for
development because Belgium's trade with China is merely 5 percent
of the European country's total.
(Xinhua News Agency May 6, 2004)