China, Belgium to strengthen cooperation

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) holds talks with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 17, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BRUSSELS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to work with Belgium to strength cooperation and exchanges at all levels, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday.

Li made the remarks in Brussels when holding talks with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel during a working visit to the country.

Noting that China-Belgium ties have maintained the momentum of sound development, Li said Belgian companies are welcomed to invest in China, which will give equal treatment to all foreign enterprises as domestic enterprises.

Li said China is willing to import more high-quality Belgian agricultural products that suit the demands of Chinese market and hopes that Belgium can further facilitate bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

Li said the two countries can boost cooperation in technology and innovation and expand nuclear cooperation on the basis of abiding by international laws and meeting international obligations.

The two countries can deepen practical cooperation in infrastructure development and the digital economy while actively exploring the third-party market cooperation, he added.

The Chinese premier said China and Europe, both as major economies, should work together and take steps to push for progress in the negotiations of a China-EU investment treaty so as to send a positive message of upholding free trade, economic globalization, and the multilateral trading regime.

Michel said Belgium is willing to align the connectivity program of the European Union with China's Belt and Road Initiative and support Belgian enterprises in investing in China.

Furthermore, Belgium is ready to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, agriculture, technology, nuclear, aviation and other fields while enhancing the third-party market cooperation in Africa and Asia, Michel said.

Belgium supports effective multilateralism and free trade and stands ready to work with China to strengthen coordination and communication in the United Nations and other multilateral institutions, Michel said.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents on nuclear, the third-party market, culture, logistics, aviation, among others.