On 21 March 2022, the Chinese Ambassador to Belgium Mr. Cao Zhongming attended and addressed the Plenary Session in Celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the China Platform of Ghent University at invitation. Also present were Rector Rik Van de Walle of Ghent University, Representative An Vervliet of the Provincial Council of East-Flanders, Mayor Mathias De Clercq of the City of Ghent, Director Jean Cornet d’Elzius of the Asia-Pacific Department of Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Chairman Kurt Vandeputte of the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce and Director Luc Taerwe of the China Platform.

Ambassador Cao extended congratulations to the China Platform of Ghent University for the 15th anniversary of its establishment and appreciation for the efforts made by representatives of Ghent University and the China Platform to promote China-Belgium educational cooperation over the years. Ambassador Cao noted that Ghent University has been committed to the credo of “Dare to Think”, and has made many achievements in nurturing talent, building its teaching workforce, developing discipline, conducting academic research and providing social services among others. With a growing international profile, Ghent University has attracted a large number of Chinese students. Attaching great importance to exchanges and cooperation with China, Ghent University established the China Platform to coordinate all China-related matters, an initiative that has played an important role in promoting Ghent University’s cooperation with China.

Ambassador Cao underlined that the year 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Belgium. President Xi Jinping and King Philippe exchanged congratulatory messages. They noted the great development achievements of the bilateral relationship since five decades ago and expressed the shared aspiration to further deepen the China-Belgium all-round friendly cooperative partnership. As China has embarked on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects, it will continue to expand high-standard opening-up, share development opportunities with the world, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all. China and Belgium enjoy broad prospects in practical cooperation in education, science and technology. It is hoped that Ghent University will seize the opportunities to make the China Platform a platform of openness, cooperation and friendship, in a bid to make greater contribution to educational, scientific and technological cooperation between China and Belgium. The Chinese Embassy in Belgium will continue to support Ghent University and the China Platform in carrying out different forms of cooperation with China.

Rector Rik Van de Walle thanked the Chinese Embassy in Belgium for its long-time support and help to Ghent University, and expressed the readiness to continue to deepen cooperation with China and provide high-quality education for Chinese students. Director Luc Taerwe gave a presentation of the work of the China Platform over the past 15 years and expressed the aspiration to further deepen cooperation with Chinese partners.

At the Plenary Session, virtual messages of congratulation from over ten renowned Chinese universities and institutes including Tsinghua University and Renmin University of China were played.