On the afternoon of October 27, Xiong Jiuling, Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, met with Bruno Angelet, Belgian Ambassador to China.
The two sides exchanged views on the sister-city relationship between Beijing and the Brussels-Capital Region, the development of smart city and circular economy, Beijing swifts, and other issues. Xiong welcomed Ambassador Angelet, noting that Beijing, a dynamic modern metropolis with a long history, continues to advance high-level opening up and high-quality development by keeping to its positioning as the "four centers". Beijing Foreign Affairs Office is committed to providing support and assistance for the work and life of the diplomatic corps in China. To this end, it has launched a range of events aimed at highlighting Beijing's achievements and fostering mutual understanding and cooperation, which include the "Foreign Diplomats Experiencing Beijing" and the "Reception in Honor of Foreign Diplomatic Missions to China" . Xiong invited Ambassador Angelet and other diplomats of the Belgian embassy to visit more places of Beijing and participate in relevant activities to gain a better understanding of the city’s development.
Xiong said that since the establishment of the sister-city relationship in September 1994, Beijing and the Brussels-Capital Region have engaged in extensive cooperation in economy and trade, investment, culture and tourism, environmental protection, and sci-tech innovation. As the 30th anniversary of the relationship approaches in 2024, the two sides can build on the good relations to further expand exchanges and cooperation, and strengthen the friendly ties.
Ambassador Angelet expressed gratitude to Xiong for her warm reception. He acknowledged that both Beijing and the Brussels-Capital Region have a lot to learn from each other. Therefore, he would like to play a positive role in promoting the sister-city relationship, as well as fostering greater exchanges and cooperation in circular economy, smart city, and the study of Beijing swifts. This will serve to enhance the friendship between the two sides.
