On September 25, 2024, the Chinese Mission to the EU and the Chinese Embassy in Belgium co-hosted a reception in Brussels to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Present were Zhu Jing, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Chinese Mission to the EU, Fei Shengchao, Chinese Ambassador to Belgium, Niclas Kvarnström, Managing Director for Asia and Pacific at the European External Action Service, Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, and Jan Hoogmartens, Head of Cabinet of the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs. The reception was also attended by other officials from the EU institutions and the Belgian government, members of the European Parliament and the Belgian Parliament, diplomatic envoys to the EU and Belgium from various countries, and representatives of international organizations, enterprises, think tanks, media outlets, Chinese institutions, overseas Chinese, and Chinese students studying in Brussels, totaling over 1,000.

Mr. Zhu noted in his speech that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) over the past 75 years, the Chinese people have achieved a great transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC made systematic plans for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization, laying out a new blueprint for China’s development.

Mr. Zhu recognized Chinese modernization as a significant contribution to global growth, with opening up being its defining feature. China is committed to developing new institutions for a higher-standard open economy, so as to promote its reform and development, while achieving common development with countries around the world, including those in Europe.

Mr. Zhu emphasized the EU’s role as an important partner in China’s pursuit of Chinese modernization. Facts have proven that what Chinese modernization brings to Europe is progress and prosperity, instead of risks or even threats. The ever-wider door of China to the world along with the deepening of Chinese modernization is going to provide the EU with more opportunities, and contribute more to economic growth and common prosperity globally. As the 50th anniversary of China-EU relations approaches, China hopes to work with the EU to jointly follow through the strategic agreements reached by the two leaders, and create a better future for bilateral ties, thus injecting more peace and prosperity to this changing and turbulent world.

Ambassador Fei reviewed in his speech the remarkable achievements the PRC has made since its founding 75 years ago. He introduced to the guests the resolution of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. He stressed that China’s development will not only provide more opportunities for Belgium and the world at large, but also bring more certainty to world peace and development. He also acknowledged the promising prospect of the China-Belgium relationship.

Mr. Kvarnström addressed the audience in both Chinese and English. On behalf of the EU, he extended warm congratulations on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC and noted the EU attaches great importance to developing relations with China. He expressed the EU’s willingness to enhance the bilateral relationship by making most of its upcoming 50th anniversary next year.