As agreed by China and the European Union (EU), and at the invitation of Prime Minister Charles Michel of Belgium, Premier Li Keqiang arrived at the Brussels Airport by special plane on the evening of June 1, 2017 local time. He will attend the 19th China-EU Summit and pay an official visit to Belgium.
When Li Keqiang stepped out the cabin door, trumpeters blew the horns and saluted to him, and the guard of honor lined up on both sides of the red carpet to welcome Premier Li Keqiang. Senior officials of the EU, H.E. Yang Yanyi, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU and H.E. Qu Xing, Chinese Ambassador to Belgium as well as others greeted Li Keqiang beside the gangway.
Li Keqiang expressed that China and the EU are contributors and beneficiaries of world multipolarization and process of economic globalization. Under the current situation, China and the EU should confront the instability of the international situation with a stable bilateral cooperation. Li Keqiang hopes to jointly promote China-EU relations for a stable and in-depth development, and boost bilateral confidence in stability, cooperation and development through the visit.
Li Keqiang said that the relationship and practical cooperation between China and Belgium have always been at the forefront of China's relations with European countries over the past 46 years since the two countries established their diplomatic relations. China is willing to work with the Belgian side to blaze new trails and tap the potential to the full to push forward the China-Belgium all-around friendly cooperative partnership, in order to better benefit the two peoples.
During his stay in Brussels, Li Keqiang will co-chair the 19th China-EU Summit, meet the press and attend the signing ceremony as well as relevant people-to-people and cultural activities with President of the European Council Donald Tusk and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker. He will also jointly attend the China-EU Business Summit with European leaders and address the Summit, and conduct interaction and communication with small and medium-sized entrepreneurs of both sides.
During his official visit to Belgium, Li Keqiang will hold talks, attend the signing ceremony and jointly visit relevant cooperation project with Prime Minister Charles Michel and meet with King Philippe of Belgium.
Li Keqiang's Brussels trip came after his successful official visit to Germany where he successfully held the annual China-Germany Prime Ministers' Meeting. When leaving Berlin, senior officials of the German government, H.E. Shi Mingde, Chinese Ambassador to Germany and others saw his off at the airport.