Chinese premier starts official visit to Belgium

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Wednesday he looked forward to exchanging views with leaders of Belgium and the European Union (EU) on bilateral ties and international issues during his visit to Brussels.

Wen made the remarks at the airport when he arrived in Brussels for a two-day official visit to Belgium and the EU headquarters.

Since China and Belgium established diplomatic relations 33 years ago, the bilateral ties have seen sustained and steady expansion, said Wen.

Further consolidating and developing the Sino-Belgian relationsare of vital importance, which is not only in the fundamental interest of both countries, but also conducive to safeguarding world peace, stability and prosperity, he added.

The premier said he hoped to exchange views with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt and other Belgian leaders on promoting bilateral relations as well as on major international issues, so as to increase friendship and understanding and inject vigor into the bilateral relations.

On his visit to the EU headquarters, Wen said both China and the EU are "significant forces dedicated to world peace and common development." He said he believed that his visit will "help enhance mutual understanding, expand consensus and further cooperation between China and the EU and inject vigor and vitalityinto the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership."

Brussels is the second leg of Wen's five-nation Europe trip after a three-day official visit to Germany.

During his stay in Brussels, Wen will hold talks with Guy Verhofstadt and European Commission President Romano Prodi, and meet some other Belgian and EU leaders.