On September 23, 2026, the Chinese Mission to the EU and the Chinese Embassy in Belgium co-hosted a reception in Brussels to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Ambassador Cai Run, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, Ambassador Fei Shengchao, Chinese Ambassador to Belgium, Mr. David Cvach, Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service, and Mr. David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Agriculture of Belgium, attended and addressed the event. The reception brought together around 900 guests, including representatives from various sectors of the EU and Belgium, diplomatic envoys from various countries to the EU and Belgium, and representatives of Chinese-funded institutions and overseas Chinese communities.

In his speech, Ambassador Cai Run noted that over the past 77 years since the founding of the PRC, the Communist Party of China has united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in tireless efforts, opening up the right path toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. He emphasized that China is advancing Chinese modernization through high-quality development and serves as an important engine of global economic development. He also mentioned that the four Global Initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping are in keeping with the trend of our times and are increasingly becoming major undertakings jointly advanced by the international community. Noting that this year marks the beginning of the second 50 years of China-EU relations, Ambassador Cai stressed that China and the EU now have a relationship with greater strategic significance and global influence. He expressed the hope that the EU will work with China in the same direction, stay committed to  partnership, keep cooperation as the defining feature of the relationship, and address economic and trade differences and frictions through dialogue and consultation, so as to promote the sound and steady development of China-EU relations.

Ambassador Fei Shengchao noted that over the past 55 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Belgium, all-round partnership of friendship and cooperation have remained the defining feature of China-Belgium relations. He emphasized that China stands ready to take the 55th anniversary of China-Belgium diplomatic relations as an opportunity to work with Belgium to build more bridges, expand open cooperation, and deliver greater mutual benefit for both countries.

Deputy Secretary General David Cvach extended warm congratulations on the 77th anniversary of the founding of the PRC on behalf of the EU. He noted that EU-China relations have become one of the most influential bilateral relations in the world, and called on both sides to focus on common interests and responsibilities, strengthen constructive communication, and advance the relationship.

Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval, speaking on behalf of Belgium, expressed the hope that Belgium and China to strengthen dialogue and cooperation and build a more solid and mutually beneficial partnership.

Guests spoke highly of China's achievements in modernization and the four Global Initiatives, and engaged in lively discussions on China-EU and China-Belgium friendship and cooperation. The reception was marked by a warm and friendly atmosphere.