Belgium–China relations

Bilateral relations

Belgium – China relations

Belgium |
China

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.

## History

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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 President Xi Jinping has been to Belgium in October 2009 to enhance bilateral cooperation in terms of trade, human and cultural exchanges.[2][3]

The bilateral relationship has increased with economic trade between the two countries. Belgium has a pavilion in the Shanghai Expo 2010.[4]

In July 2019, the UN ambassadors from 22 nations, including Belgium, signed a joint letter to the UNHRC condemning the Chinese government's persecution of the Uyghurs as well as its mistreatment of other minority groups, urging it to close the Xinjiang internment camps.[5][6]

In 2019 as punishment for visiting Taiwan President of the Senate Jacques Brotchi received a lifetime ban from entering China.[7]

In June 2020, Belgium openly opposed the Hong Kong national security law.[8] In December 2023, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo referred to China as a "sometimes very hostile" country following allegations that the Ministry of State Security had recruited Belgian politician Frank Creyelman for espionage.[9]

In April 2024, the Belgian Foreign Ministry summoned the Chinese envoy after reports emerged that Chinese spies (APT31) hacked the laptops of key lawmakers such as the head of the Belgian Foreign Affairs Committee and former prime minister Guy Verhofstadt.[10][11][12] In April 2025, Belgian media reported that Chinese intelligence attempted to coerce the mayor of Huy, Eric Dosogne, in 2020 to spy on Samuel Cogolati, a leader of Ecolo and prominent member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.[13]

## Trade

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The trade between the two countries in 2013 came to a value of EUR20.2 billion.[14] China is Belgium's sixth biggest trading partner which makes up 4.1% of Belgium's trade.[15] The trade between the two countries in 2008 exceeded 20 billion and growing on average 20% every year.[16]

## Chinese people in Belgium

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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.[17]

## See also

[edit]

* Foreign relations of Belgium
* Foreign relations of China
* China–EU relations

## References

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1. ^ a b c http://www.fmprc.gov.cn Archived 17 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine – 2003/10/12 China and Belgium Archived 25 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
2. ^ "Chinese vice president meets Belgium's deputy PM - People's Daily Online". People's Daily. China. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
3. ^ "China, Belgium-Luxemburg Economic Union to strengthen ties - People's Daily Online". People's Daily. China. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
4. ^ "Belgium-EU Pavilion_the official Website of Expo 2010 Shanghai China". Archived from the original on 15 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
5. ^ "Which Countries Are For or Against China's Xinjiang Policies?". The Diplomat. 15 July 2019. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
6. ^ "More than 20 ambassadors condemn China's treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 11 July 2019. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
7. ^ Aspinwall, Nick. "Czech Companies the Latest Target of Chinese Retaliation for Taiwan Ties". thediplomat.com. The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
8. ^ Lawler, Dave (2 July 2020). "The 53 countries supporting China's crackdown on Hong Kong". Axios. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
9. ^ "Belgian PM sees China as 'hostile' country after espionage allegations". Reuters. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
10. ^ "Belgium to summon Chinese envoy after allegations of cyberattack on lawmakers". Anadolu Agency. 25 April 2024. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
11. ^ "Head of Belgian Foreign Affairs Committee says she was hacked by China". Reuters. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
12. ^ Roussi, Antoaneta; Haeck, Pieter (29 April 2024). "Ex-Belgian PM Guy Verhofstadt was a victim of Chinese hacking". Politico. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
13. ^ Roussi, Antoaneta (30 April 2025). "Beijing wooed Belgian socialist to spy on China-hawkish MP: reports". Politico Europe. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
14. ^ "Belgian-Chinese trade". 4 November 2015. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
15. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 2016-07-10.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
16. ^ mofcom.gov.cn/, 2009-10-12, China-Belgium Economic and Trade Forum Held in Brussels Archived 7 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
17. ^ "Décès de Siou-Ling Tsien, qui avait sauvé Ecaussinnes des nazis" (in French). 7sur7. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2015.

## External links

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* Embassy of China in Belgium

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