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Ties with Belgium get shot in the arm
China and Belgium pledged to further expand their economic co-operation and enhance political dialogue. Visiting Premier Wen Jiabao and Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt signed a joint statement on Wednesday (local time) aimed at enhancing political dialogue between the two countries. They also signed the Articles of Association of China-Belgium Equity Investment Fund. In a joint press conference following the signing, Wen said the joint statement on political dialogue is the first of its kind signed by the Chinese Government with a foreign country. "It indicates our determination to solve issues of common concern through dialogue and peaceful consultation," Wen said. He said the document on the equity investment fund, also the first of its kind signed by China, creates an institutional guarantee for co-operation between the two countries' enterprises, especially small and medium-sized ones. Verhofstadt told reporters that the signing of these two documents marked new steps taken by the two countries to work together. Wen said he proposed to his Belgian counterpart that the two countries establish a long-term and stable economic and trade partnership. Belgium is China's sixth largest trade partner in Western Europe, with two-way trade value last year totalling US$6.7 billion, a year-on-year jump of 36.8 per cent. "We hope to expand the areas of bilateral co-operation and welcome Belgium to increase investment in such areas as agriculture, environmental protection, energy resources and especially high technology in China," Wen said. He added that enterprises in the two countries should enhance co-operation and China welcomes Belgian businesses to actively participate in its strategic development of the west and the restructuring of its old industrial base in the northeast. Verhofstadt said Belgium is willing to expand economic and trade ties with China and his government will particularly support and encourage small and medium-sized enterprises in particular to seek business in China. Crown Prince Philippe is expected to head a business delegation of more than 200 entrepreneurs to China in November, the Belgian Prime Minister said. Wen said both sides should keep high-level exchanges and step up co-operation in other fields such as education, science and technology and health. He also noted that both China and Belgium support the enhancement of the United Nation's role in international affairs and are committed to world peace and development. According to a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman, Verhofstadt said the Belgian Government will continue to stick to the one-China policy. Verhofstadt also said that Belgium is in favour of the European Union removing its weapons embargo on China and recognizing China's status as a full market economy. Wen also met Belgium King Albert II before holding talks with Verhofstadt. He also met the Belgian Senate President Armand De Decker, and Belgian Chamber of Representatives President Herman De Croo on Wednesday. |
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