Chinese jeweller Zhou Zongwen awarded Belgian honorary order

Zhou Zongwen (3rd from left), Belgian House of Representatives Siegfried Bracke (3rd from right), Antwerp vice-mayor Ludo Van Campenhout (2nd from right)

President of the Belgian House of Representatives Siegfried Bracke bestowed an Order of Leopold, the national honorary order of Belgium, upon Zhou Zongwen, the Chairman of Chow Tai Seng Jewelry in recognition of his contribution to the cultural and economic exchanges between China and Belgium, especially to the cooperation between the diamond industries and promotion of diamond culture, on May 3 in Brussels.

The annual trade volume of diamonds between China and Belgium has reached $5 billion. The industry insiders who were present at the ceremony were all optimistic about the future potentials of trade between the two countries.

Belgian House of Representatives Siegfried Bracke (right) presents the order and certificate to Zhou Zongwen

Zhou said that he and Belgian partners had reached consensus on further strengthening the research, development and promotion of diamond products, and planned to introduce Belgian diamond culture, designers and marketing experience to China by holding a designing contest for diamond jewelries globally. He also hopes to introduce the Chinese elements to the world through the contest. The winning designs will be shown around China and be on sale at Chow Tai Seng shops.

Zhou Zongwen and his wife Zhou Huazhen at the ceremony

In addition, Zhou hopes to expand influence of Chinese enterprises and their corporate cultures in Belgium and Europe by offering sponsorship to cultural and art events.

Founded in 1999, Chow Tai Seng is an influential jewelry brand operators in China.