Q: Recently, relevant Belgian media outlets reported a “paper” published by a certain scholar, which questioned that cooperation between Chinese companies like COSCO Shipping and the Belgian side is to serve political and military purposes, claimed that “each Chinese ship is a ship of war” and that “the crews chiefly consist of military personnel”, and called for less dependence on China. What is your comment on this?

A: We have noted the reports. Without any factual basis, the relevant remarks have made unwarranted accusations against China-Belgium sea port cooperation and the development of China’s civilian maritime sector, and made ill-intended speculation and deliberate slander of the legitimate and lawful business operation of Chinese companies in Belgium. We hereby express our strong discontent and firm opposition.

The Chinese government has always asked Chinese companies to strictly abide by local laws and regulations when operating overseas, and to carry out practical cooperation in the spirit of mutual benefits. Cooperation between Chinese shipping companies such as COSCO Shipping and Belgian companies and ports is purely commercial, and the ships concerned are all civilian ships. There are no political or military purposes. Accusations like “each Chinese ship is a ship of war” and that “the crews chiefly consist of military personnel” are nothing but disinformation. Relevant remarks, taking normal economic and trade cooperation between China and Belgium as risks threatening the security of Belgium, are in essence attempts to fabricate the so-called “China threat” to mislead the Belgian people. Such remarks are highly irresponsible as they damage the image and credibility of relevant Chinese companies in Belgium.

China and Belgium are all-round partners of friendly cooperation. Currently, economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries enjoy a good momentum. In the container terminal in Zeebrugge alone, COSCO Shipping has created 360 local jobs since its business started in Belgium. Throughput of its inbound and outbound loaded containers to and from Belgian ports increased by 45 times. This has helped to further elevate the international profile of Belgian ports, and made positive contribution to stable global industrial and supply chains and post-COVID global economic recovery. We hope that relevant individuals on the Belgian side will discard ideological prejudice and their biased position on China, have a fair and reasonable view of business operation by Chinese companies in Belgium, and do more things that will contribute to China-Belgium practical cooperation in different sectors.