Xi says China, Europe must ensure free trade

President meets with king of Belgium, Ukraine's leader

With populist sentiment growing in Europe, President Xi Jinping called for joint opposition to protectionism in a meeting with King Philippe of Belgium on Tuesday.

China firmly supports Europe's integration process, and together with Europe will work to ensure a free and fair global trade and investment system, Xi told the Belgian monarch on the sidelines of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.