Chinese premier arrives in Belgium

World
Europe

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Belgium on Tuesday for a working visit and to attend the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit.

This is the third visit to Belgium by the Chinese premier in four years.

During his visit, Li will hold talks with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel. The two heads of government will also jointly meet the press and witness the signing of a series of documents on cooperation between the two sides.

Peace, development, opening-up, and cooperation remain the mainstream of our time despite the complicated changes and uncertainties the world is facing, Li said upon arrival.

He suggested that Asia and Europe, as two major economic blocs and stabilizing forces in the world, enhance dialogue and cooperation, safeguard world peace, jointly meet challenges and pursue development.

Noting that Belgium, where the EU headquarters is located, has been a staunch supporter and participant of the European integration, Li said he is looking forward to having an insightful exchange of views on bilateral ties as well as on China-Europe relations with the Belgian side.

Li also called on the two sides to cement political mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and work to bring the China-Belgium all-round partnership of friendship and cooperation up to a new level in line with the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment and mutual benefits.

At the ASEM summit, Li is scheduled to exchange in-depth views with Asian and European leaders on jointly safeguarding multilateralism, building an open world economy as well as facilitating connectivity and people-to-people exchanges between the two continents.

"Li will also propose China's initiatives on Asia-Europe cooperation and share views on international and regional hotspot issues," Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Hanhui said at a press briefing ahead of the visit.

Launched in 1996, the biennial ASEM summit has served as a venue for dialogue between Asian and European countries.

This year's summit, themed "Europe and Asia: global partners and global challenges," is expected to bring together leaders from over 50 Asian and European countries and representatives from international organizations.

Li urges innovation cooperation

Li on Tuesday called on Dutch enterprises to explore the Chinese market and partner with Chinese enterprises for innovation cooperation.

"The Chinese economy is going through a stage of transformation and upgrading. The growth of better quality calls for international innovation cooperation," Li said at the China-Netherlands Business Forum during his official visit to the Netherlands.

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The Chinese premier said some Dutch enterprises have demonstrated their innovative products and technologies such as high-precision medical equipment, integrated system of equipment and information system for cancer treatment, manufacturing and repair nanotechnologies for aircraft engines, and green agriculture.

These enterprises have expressed their wish to seek cooperation in China, Li said, adding that Dutch enterprises, both large and small, are welcome to explore the Chinese market and find Chinese business partners.

China is implementing its innovation-driven development strategy, with a boom of new growth drivers now contributing to some two-thirds of the newly created employment, the Chinese premier said.

With a population of 1.4 billion, China has a vast market. Consumption is in the process of becoming the main growth driver of the Chinese economy, which creates enormous potential for the innovative products of Dutch enterprises in China, Li said.

China against forced transfer of IPR: Li

Li also vowed to further strengthen intellectual property rights (IPR) protection, saying that China by no means allows any forced transfer of IPR.

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"Any transfer of IPR must be based on the will of the enterprises," Li said.

"If the enterprises are willing (to make a transfer), it has to be a fair deal. That is to say, the enterprises must be paid for," Li said.

Without IPR protection, innovation cooperation is impossible and expansion of investment in the Chinese market lacks of foundation, Li said.

The premier said any IPR violation in China will be severely punished in accordance with the law.

"I would like to make a pledge here that the Chinese government will pay great attention to the protection of IPR so as to create a conducive environment for innovation," Li said.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency