With careful stewardship, open dialogue and a focus on shared interests, Belgium-China relations can continue to evolve as a force for good

The 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belgium and China comes at a time of renewed global uncertainty, but also of opportunity. The visit of Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot to China at the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi in April underscored the enduring importance both countries attach to dialogue, cooperation and pragmatic engagement. This milestone is not merely a symbolic anniversary, but a strategic moment to reaffirm shared commitments to mutually beneficial economic ties.

Over the past 55 years, Belgium-China relations have evolved from modest diplomatic exchanges into a multifaceted partnership. According to Chinese Ambassador to Belgium Fei Shengchao, even amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, this relationship has been marked by consistency and resilience. As a founding member of the European Union and home to its main institutions, Belgium has long served as a gateway between China and the EU. And China has become one of Belgium’s most important trading partners outside the EU, reflecting deepening economic interdependence.

From the perspective of global peace and development, this year carries broader implications. In an increasingly fragmented international landscape, stable bilateral relationships such as that between Belgium and China provide an anchor for constructive engagement. Both countries have consistently supported multilateralism, international law and dialogue over confrontation. These principles are essential at a time when global challenges — ranging from climate change to economic volatility — require coordinated, cross-border solutions.

Economic cooperation remains at the heart of this partnership. Belgium’s open economy, strategic logistics infrastructure and expertise in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and advanced manufacturing complement China’s scale, innovation capacity and rapidly evolving domestic market. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the airports in Brussels and Liege, for example, have become key hubs for trade flows between Europe and Asia, illustrating how connectivity can translate into shared prosperity.

Looking ahead, there is significant potential for collaboration in areas that are critical to both countries’ futures. Technological innovation offers fertile ground for joint ventures, particularly in fields such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence and clean energy. Belgium’s strong research institutions and China’s growing investment in R&D create natural synergies. At the same time, the green transition represents both a necessity and an opportunity. As countries work toward carbon neutrality, partnerships that combine European regulatory expertise with Chinese industrial capacity can accelerate progress while creating new economic value.

From a European perspective, EU-China economic cooperation is both essential and complex. The EU seeks to balance openness with strategic autonomy, ensuring that cooperation with China remains fair and reciprocal. Belgium, as an EU member state, supports this balanced approach. Engagement with China should not be viewed through a purely competitive lens, but rather as a partnership where differences are managed through dialogue and common interests are actively pursued.

China’s economic transformation over the past several decades has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and contributed significantly to global growth. Today, China remains a key engine of the world economy, accounting for a substantial share of global GDP expansion. For European businesses, including many Belgian companies, China represents both a vast market and an increasingly sophisticated innovation ecosystem.

At the same time, China’s initiatives in infrastructure development and connectivity — particularly through international cooperation frameworks — have the potential to enhance global trade and development. When implemented transparently and sustainably, such initiatives can benefit not only participating countries but also the broader international community.

In terms of regional and global stability, China plays an increasingly important role. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China is well-positioned to contribute to conflict resolution and peacekeeping efforts. Belgium, with its long-standing commitment to diplomacy and international cooperation, shares this objective. Both countries recognize that stability is a prerequisite for development, and that dialogue remains the most effective tool for managing differences.

However, it is equally important to acknowledge that constructive cooperation requires trust, transparency and mutual respect. Differences in political systems and economic models should not be ignored, but neither should they prevent collaboration where interests align. The Belgium-China relationship demonstrates that it is possible to maintain a pragmatic partnership while engaging in open and honest dialogue.

US President Donald Trump recently completed a very important visit to China, during which he held talks with President Xi Jinping on forging stable and constructive relations between China and the United States, which are of utmost importance to global economic confidence and geopolitical stability. The way they interact has a direct impact on international trade, investment flows, financial markets, supply chains and global governance. Europe, Belgium in particular, naturally benefits when the relationship between these two countries is predictable, pragmatic and based on dialogue rather than confrontation.

As Belgium and China mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the message is clear: Bilateral relationships rooted in mutual benefit and respect can serve as building blocks for a more stable and prosperous world. For the two countries, the path forward lies in deepening economic ties, expanding cooperation in emerging sectors and reinforcing their shared commitment to multilateralism.

The next chapter of Belgium-China relations might present challenges, but it also holds immense promise. With careful stewardship, open dialogue and a focus on shared interests, this long-standing partnership can continue to evolve as a force for good in an increasingly interconnected world.

The author is the chairman of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the senior partner of Dewit Law Office based in Brussels.

The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.