Words are equally important as actions: Van Rompuy recalls Xi speeches

Editor's Note: The Communist Party of China will hold its 19th National Congress on Oct 18. In the runup to the meeting, China Daily asked a former EU top official and two prominent experts for their views on developments in China and the country's global leadership.

Herman Van Rompuy has served as Belgian prime minister and president of the European Council. In both capacities, he received Xi Jinping during his visits to Belgium and the European Union headquarters in 2009 and 2014 respectively. Xi also met him either in Beijing or on other occasions before the veteran European politician stood down from his political career in late 2014.

Of those meetings, Van Rompuy says he is keen to highlight two speeches President Xi delivered in Europe.