Belgium–China relations

Belgium–China relations began in the early 1970s about 20 years after mainland China came under communist rule. China has an embassy in Brussels whilst Belgium has an embassy in Beijing and consulates in Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Belgium – China relations

Belgium
China

History

Diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Belgium were established on 25 October 1971.[1] The diplomatic relationship began to improve and grow during the 1980s with visits from high-ranking governments from both sides such as Zhu Rongji in April 1991 and Vice-premier Qian Qichen in March 1992.[1] From the Belgium side, Crown Prince Albert has visited China in May 1993 and the king of Belgium, Crown Prince Philippe visited in November 1996 and May 2000. The former prime ministers Jean-Luc Dehaene visited China in November 1998 and Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt visited in March 2002.[1]

China's Vice Premier Xi Jinping has been to Belgium in October 2009 to enhance bilateral cooperation in terms of trade, human and cultural exchanges.[2][3][4]

The bilateral relationship has increased with economic trade between the two countries. Belgium has a pavilion in the Shanghai Expo 2010.[5]

In July 2019, the UN ambassadors from 22 nations, including Belgium, signed a joint letter to the UNHRC condemning China's mistreatment of the Uyghurs as well as its mistreatment of other minority groups, urging the Chinese government to close the Xinjiang re-education camps.[6][7]

In 2019 as punishment for visiting Taiwan President of the Senate Jacques Brotchi received a lifetime ban from entering China.[8]

In June 2020, Belgium openly opposed the Hong Kong national security law[9]

Trade

The trade between the two countries in 2013 came to a value of EUR20.2 billion.[10] China is Belgium's sixth biggest trading partner which makes up 4.1% of Belgium's trade.[11] The trade between the two countries in 2008 exceeded 20 billion and growing on average 20% every year.[12]

Chinese people in Belgium

Qian Xiuling (1912–2008), or Siou-Ling Tsien de Perlinghi, was an immigrant to Belgium from the Republic of China who helped to save nearly 100 Belgian people from execution by the Nazis during World War II. She won a medal in Belgium and had a street named after her.[13]

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See also

References
  1. http://www.fmprc.gov.cn – 2003/10/12 China and Belgium
  2. "Chinese vice president meets Belgium's deputy PM - People's Daily Online". People's Daily.
  3. "China, Belgium vow to seek stronger ties". China Daily.
  4. "China, Belgium-Luxemburg Economic Union to strengthen ties - People's Daily Online". People's Daily.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 15 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Which Countries Are For or Against China's Xinjiang Policies?". The Diplomat. 15 July 2019.
  7. France-Presse, Agence (11 July 2019). "More than 20 ambassadors condemn China's treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  8. Aspinwall, Nick. "Czech Companies the Latest Target of Chinese Retaliation for Taiwan Ties". thediplomat.com. The Diplomat. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  9. Lawler, Dave (2 July 2020). "The 53 countries supporting China's crackdown on Hong Kong". Axios. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  10. "Belgian-Chinese trade". 4 November 2015.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 July 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. mofcom.gov.cn/, 2009-10-12, China-Belgium Economic and Trade Forum Held in Brussels Archived 7 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  13. "Décès de Siou-Ling Tsien, qui avait sauvé Ecaussinnes des nazis" (in French). 7sur7. 1 August 2008. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
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