"This is my third visit to Belgium as the Chinese premier and we have reached consensus on many areas of cooperation and witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation agreements during this visit," Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said during a joint news conference with his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel on Wednesday.

Premier Li noted that China will expand the import of high-quality Belgian products, especially agricultural products. 

"The ban on Belgian beef exports to China has been lifted," he said, adding that China will further ease market access restrictions on Belgian companies.

Li said that the two sides discussed cooperation in innovation and high-technology and signed a framework agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

China will continue to develop clean energy, to which nuclear energy is an important pillar, he added, stressing that Beijing will strictly protect intellectual property rights in its high-tech cooperation with Brussels.

"I will exchange views with European leaders on reaching a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between China and the EU during the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Brussels later this week," said Premier Li.

It will be a substantial contribution to multilateralism and free trade if China and Europe reach a BIT at an early date, he noted.

China attaches great importance to its relations with Belgium and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the country within the UN framework, he added.

He said that China-Belgium cooperation plays an important role in China-EU cooperation and international cooperation, as Belgium has a reputation as the capital of Europe.

Li said during talks with his Belgian counterpart that China is willing to import more high-quality Belgian agricultural products that suit the demands of Chinese market and hopes that Belgium can further facilitate bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

The two countries can deepen practical cooperation in infrastructure development and the digital economy while actively exploring the third-party market cooperation, he added.

The Chinese premier said China and Europe, both as major economies, should work together and take steps to push for progress in the negotiations of a China-EU investment treaty so as to send a positive message of upholding free trade, economic globalization, and the multilateral trading regime.

Michel said Belgium is willing to align the connectivity program of the European Union with China's Belt and Road Initiative and support Belgian enterprises in investing in China.

Belgium supports effective multilateralism and free trade and stands ready to work with China to strengthen coordination and communication in the UN and other multilateral institutions, Michel said.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents on nuclear, third-party market, culture, logistics, and aviation among others.

(With inputs from Xinhua)