The fruits of passion and effort

Panda pair reflect importance that China attaches to ties with Belgium

On Feb 23, Xing Hui and Hao Hao, a pair of Chinese giant pandas arrived in Belgium, in a sense the capital of Europe, bringing with them the friendship of the Chinese people. I hope these two friendship ambassadors will not only lead a happy life in Pairi Daiza Zoo but also bring joy to the people of Europe.

The panda, China's national treasure, lives in the high mountains of western China. An ancient poem has it that it is more difficult to follow the path to Shu, hometown of the giant panda, and which is now the province of Sichuan, than to ascend to heaven. Thanks to the great passion and efforts of people in both Belgium and China, Xing Hui and Hao Hao have finally arrived in their new home, flying over 1,000 mountains and rivers. Their arrival symbolizes the sincerity and friendship of the Chinese people toward Belgium and its people. It is the result of a well-developed relationship and reflects the importance that China attaches to it.

Since ancient times the panda has been regarded as a symbol of peace and friendship. When there was war in Shu, people waved flags with a panda image, calling for peace, and the panda has become a universal symbol of peace. It represents the friendship of Chinese people toward all others who inhabit the planet. About 20 Chinese pandas that come from Sichuan Wolong Natural Reserve live abroad, and all receive the very best of treatment.

The Belgium-China relationship has three prominent features.

First, the two peoples share a long history of friendly exchanges. As early as the 17th century, the Belgian missionary Ferdinand Verbiest brought modern Western science to China. He taught Chinese Emperor Kangxi mathematics and astronomy, designed six astronomical instruments for Beijing Ancient Observatory and drew a Chinese version of the world map. The Chinese leaders Zhou Enlai and Nie Rongzhen, and the Chinese scientist Tong Dizhou all studied in Belgium. During World War II, a Chinese woman, Qian Xiuling, risked her life to save the lives of dozens of Belgians from the Gestapo muzzle, and a street in the southern town of Ecaussinnes is named in her honor.

Henri Lederhandler, the late chairman of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, visited China more than 70 times and was once received by Mao Zedong and Zhou. He is remembered for his important role in building relations between the two countries.

The second feature of the relationship is pioneership and innovation. When Belgium established diplomatic relations with China in 1971 it was one of the first Western countries to do so. Belgium is also one of the first Western countries to export advanced technology to China, the first to provide interest-free government loans, and the first to establish industrial cooperation funds with China.

Xi'an Janssen and Shanghai Bell were the first joint ventures in China as a result of China's reform and opening-up, and have become a household name in China. As early as 1979, Belgium provided interest-free government loans for Pingdingshan Thermal Power Station in China.

The two countries have set up three joint industrial funds. Belgium, standing for the principle of free trade has played a positive role in helping settle trade disputes between China and the European Union.

The third feature is collaboration between the two sides that works to the advantage of both. Bilateral trade has increased more than 1,000 fold since 1971. Last year, despite the impact of the international financial crisis, bilateral trade was worth $25.4 billion, which has been bettered only twice before. Belgium is China's sixth-largest trading partner in the EU, and China is Belgium's second largest trading partner outside it. Two-way investment has become increasingly active. Belgian corporate investment in China has reached $1.29 billion, and Chinese corporate investment in Belgium is growing rapidly. It now exceeds $600 million and contributes to local economic development and employment.

There is no doubt that Xing Hui and Hao Hao will strengthen the relationship further.

When they arrived in Brussels I was honored to be able to attend the welcoming ceremony with Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, Deputy Prime Minister Pieter De Crem and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, as well as other Chinese and Belgian friends from various communities.

I hope this pair of pandas will live a happy life in Belgium, bring joy to people across Europe, especially children, make friends with Tintin and the Smurfs, and perhaps taste some Belgian chocolates and beer.

I hear that Hao Hao has recently been named China's favorite panda. She represents international cooperation and friendship in more ways than one, her mother having been born in the United States. I hope she will further spread this spirit of cooperation and friendship in Europe.

I sincerely hope that people in Belgium and Europe will not only love Xing Hui and Hao Hao, but also take an interest in discovering their homeland, including its traditions, culture, economy, its path of peaceful development, the hospitality and kindness of its people, and its desire to grow and create a better future with all people, no matter who they are or where they are.

The author is Chinese ambassador to Belgium.

(China Daily European Weekly 02/28/2014 page9)