On the afternoon of June 6, 2005, President Hu Jintao held talks in the Great Hall of the People with King Albert II of Belgium who was paying a state visit to China. The two heads of state exchanged in-depth views on further developing bilateral relations and agreed to enhance dialogues and exchanges and to deepen friendship and cooperation so as to uplift China-Belgium friendly cooperative relations to a higher level.

Hu made positive remarks over China-Belgium relations and expressed appreciations to the king and the royal family of Belgium for their important contributions to the development of bilateral ties. Hu said China-Belgium relations have maintained a good momentum of development with frequent exchanges between the leaders of the two countries, enhanced political mutual trust and consensus, and expanding economic and trade cooperation. The two countries have conducted comprehensive cooperation in culture, education, science and technology as well as active exchanges between local governments. China and Belgium have also maintained communication and cooperation in international and multilateral affairs. We appreciate the Belgian government's adherence to the one-China policy and its strong support for China on the Taiwan question and the Tibetan question.

Hu said there is no fundamental conflict of interest between China and Belgium politically and the two countries enjoy strong economic complementarities. Giving top priority to developing relations with Belgium, the Chinese government would like to enhance bilateral consultation and dialogue at all levels, further expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation, strengthen bilateral cooperation in biological, pharmaceutical, micro-electronic and other high-tech industries, and actively explore new areas of cooperation such as energy, aerospace and life science. The two countries also need to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in culture, education and research and development, and actively explore new channels and means for expanding exchanges and deepening cooperation. Meanwhile China and Belgium should enhance consultation and coordination on the reform of the United Nations, China-EU relations, sustainable development as well as other hot international and regional issues.

Albert II fully agreed with Hu on his remarks over bilateral relations. He said with close exchanges and cooperation at various levels in various fields China-Belgium relationship is developing smoothly. His current visit was aimed to further boost the sound relations between the two countries. Belgium attaches great importance to President Hu's suggestions on strengthening Belgium-China relations and would like to work with China to further promote bilateral relations. Belgium will continue to firmly uphold the one-China policy.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Prior to the talks, President Hu held a welcoming ceremony for Albert II at the square in front of the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. President Hu's wife Liu Yongqing, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Uyunqimg, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political and Consultative Conference Zhou Tienong, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League Li Chong'an, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua and Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng were present at the welcoming ceremony.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly attended the signing ceremony of a number of bilateral cooperative documents including the Agreement between the People's Republic of China and Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) on the Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investment.