On March 5, Ambassador Fu Cong, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, visited KU Leuven in Belgium. During the visit, Ambassador Fu delivered a keynote speech on promoting right perception through people-to-people exchanges, and creating a new chapter in China-EU cooperation and had an interactive session. The event was attended in person by Chairman of the KU Leuven Board of Directors Marianne Thyssen, Rector Luc Sels, Vice Rector Peter Lievens, and over 200 students and faculty members, with nearly another 200 participants online.

Ambassador Fu recalled the unique role of education in the respective development of China and Europe and the exchange of civilizations between China and Europe, and emphasized the important role of youth in people-to-people contacts between China and Europe. He noted that China attaches great importance to openness in education, and welcomes more young European students to study in China, and contribute to the enhancement of exchanges and mutual understanding between the two sides, as well as the promotion of knowledge flow and innovation. Young people from both sides should continue to deepen close ties, enhance mutual understanding, and develop the right perception of each other. They should work togetherto puruse a future-oriented China-EU relationship of greater global influence, injecting much-needed stability into this uncertain world.

After the speech, Ambassador Fu had an in-depth conversation with experts and scholars on China-EU relations, China-EU cooperation in science and education, and student exchanges. He also answered questions from teachers and students.