Distinguished Guests, Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

It is a great pleasure to attend the 6th China-Belgium Science and Technology Exchange Symposium. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Belgium, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the representatives and experts from universities, research institutions, and the business sectors of both China and Belgium. I also wish to express heartfelt congratulations to the organizers—Association of Chinese Professionals in Belgium (ACPB) and China-Belgium Technology Center (CBTC)—and convey my sincere gratitude to all friends who have long supported China-Belgium scientific and technological cooperation.

Against the backdrop of increasingly severe global challenges such as climate change and food security, green and low-carbon development has become a global consensus, with technological innovation serving as a key driving force to achieve this goal. Emerging and advancing technologies in areas such as new materials, renewable energy, and carbon capture and storage (CCS) are providing robust scientific and technological support for green and low-carbon development.

In recent years, China has actively embraced the philosophy of green development, focusing on advancing green technological innovation. By leveraging new quality productive forces to drive high-quality development, China has significantly improved its ecological environment, creating miracles in green development and ecological conservation that have attracted global attention. These achievements inject strong momentum into global sustainable development. Furthermore, China has actively participated in global climate governance, advocated and practiced multilateralism, and promoted international cooperation, contributing significantly to the advancement of global ecological conservation. In recent years, China has made significant progress in areas such as wind energy, solar energy, electric vehicles, and battery technologies. At the same time, green development would not have become the trend of the day without mutual learning and joint efforts between China, Belgium and beyond. Going forward, we will further deepen our consensus on cooperation and continue to drive the outcomes of our cooperation to benefit the people of China, Belgium, Europe and the world.

As a proactive partner in the global endeavor to address climate change, China has proven to be a responsible major country. Last month, COP29 was held in Azerbaijan, where nearly 200 parties broke years of deadlock in multilateral negotiations and reached a comprehensive agreement known as the “Baku Climate Solidarity Pact”. This achievement reflects a broad global consensus and concerted effort in tackling pressing global challenges such as climate change. China has long adhered to the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, committing to the dual goals of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. With concrete actions and practical measures, China aims to achieve the world’s largest reduction in carbon intensity in a much shorter time.

As a populous developing country, China’s top priority is to improve the lives of its people through development. However, China’s development is not about pursuing growth at any cost but about striving for development of higher quality, greater efficiency, fairness, sustainability and security. President Xi Jinping has emphasized that clear water and green mountains are as valuable as mountains of gold and silver. In recent years, Chinese enterprises and Chinese people have increasingly recognized the importance of green, low-carbon development. We are firmly committed to the path of eco-friendly, green development and making all-round efforts to build a beautiful China. No matter how long the road may be, we will reach our destination as long as we keep going.

Green agriculture is a critical area of sustainable development and essential to food security and ecological conservation. As the world’s largest grain producer, China has addressed the food needs of over 1.4 billion people, which itself is a significant contribution to global food security. Belgium boasts extensive experience and advanced technologies in developing ecological agriculture and specialized industries. China and Belgium have a solid foundation for cooperation in green agriculture and green technology, with immense potential in promoting the development of green agriculture.

This symposium focuses on climate change and green agriculture, responding to the urgent global call for green transformation. Hopefully the participating experts will fully utilize this important platform of China-Belgium Science and Technology Exchange Symposium to engage in in-depth discussions on green technology, share practical experiences and innovative ideas, and promote the alignment of supply and demand as well as industrial collaboration. By continuing to strengthen cooperation in areas such as green development, the digital economy, transportation and logistics, and ecological agriculture, we aim to jointly advance innovation-driven development in both countries, inject fresh momentum into the green transition of China, Belgium, Europe and the world at large to deliver more benefit to our countries and peoples.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In face of global challenges such as climate change and food security, the futures and destinies of every nation, every country, and every individual are closely interconnected. Cooperation and mutual benefit are the only right way forward. China firmly opposes de-globalization, unilateralism, protectionism and abuse of security concerns. China is willing to work with Belgium and more international partners to strengthen friendly exchanges, promote green technological innovation and build a brighter future for all. Finally, I wish this symposium a great success!

Thank you.