Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, accompanied by Mr Didier Reynders, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr Pieter de Crem, State Secretary of Foreign Trade in the federal government, Mr Geert Bourgeois, Minister-President of the Government of Flanders, the Minister-Presidents of the Walloon and Brussels governments, and a large business delegation, visited Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou and Shenzhen. In Beijing, King Philippe met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) was represented by Ms Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director. During the visit dozens of contracts and agreements were signed (see below).

China hopes the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will make a priority of encouraging Belgium’s participation, President Xi Jinping told King Philippe on June 23 in Beijing. China appreciates Belgium’s willingness to participate in infrastructure construction in Asia and welcomes the country to join the unfolding Belt and Road Initiative, Xi added. The China-led AIIB finalized its list of 57 founding member states in April, including many western European countries but not Belgium. Other counties that are interested can still join as ordinary members. Xi made the remarks shortly before he and the King witnessed the signing of 12 cooperation agreements covering areas such as space, customs, science and technology, nuclear fuel and education. He called for both countries to push forward with development of the logistics industry, along with cross-border e-commerce between Europe, China and broader Asia. China supports connectivity between its western region and Antwerp, Xi said, inviting Belgium to back Chinese enterprises to join the investment plan for Europe and participate in the construction of a railway network across the continent. He also highlighted areas for cooperation, including high-end manufacturing, environmental technologies and sustainable development, as China is carrying out its innovation-driven development strategy. King Philippe said his country would use its advantages and act as a bridge by which China can enter Europe. Belgium appreciates China’s Belt and Road Initiative and would like to make an effort to link those plans with the investment plan for Europe, he added, as reported by the China Daily.

Belgium has expressed its willingness to become a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).