Embassy of Belgium in China

Embassy of Belgium in China This is the official page of the Embassy of Belgium in China.

In late May, Kristian Vanderwaeren, the Administrator General of the Belgian Customs and Excise Administration (GACE) an...
03/06/2026

In late May, Kristian Vanderwaeren, the Administrator General of the Belgian Customs and Excise Administration (GACE) and Christine Romeyns, CEO of the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC), paid a joint visit to China. The mission marked the first visit to China by the Administrator General since 2019 and reflected the close cooperation between the two Belgian administrations, which share a common counterpart in China: the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

The programme included a meeting in Beijing with Sun Meijun, during which both sides exchanged views on areas of mutual interest and explored opportunities to further strengthen cooperation. The delegation also conducted working visits to Tianjin and Zhengzhou, where they toured key logistics and transportation hubs, including the Port of Tianjin, Zhengzhou International Airport’s passenger and cargo facilities, and the international rail terminal.

For the Belgian Customs and Excise Administration, the mission represented an important step in further deepening its partnership with GACC. Discussions focused on recent developments in international trade and customs operations, including the rapid growth of e-commerce and the challenges it presents for customs authorities worldwide. The site visits provided valuable insights into China's customs procedures and the advanced technologies being deployed to support modern border management and trade facilitation.

Throughout the visit, the Belgian delegation was warmly received by GACC and local customs authorities. The constructive exchanges reaffirmed the strong relationship between the Belgian and Chinese customs administrations and their shared commitment to addressing common challenges through dialogue and cooperation.

The delegation also expressed its sincere appreciation to the Belgian Embassy in Beijing for its support in organising and facilitating the mission, with special thanks to Bruno Angelet and the attaché teams of both GACE and FASFC in China.

A special word of thanks was extended to Christine Romeyns for joining forces on this mission. Her expertise and contribution to the discussions further strengthened the Belgian delegation’s engagement with its Chinese counterparts and helped make the visit a success.

The mission underscored the importance of continued cooperation between Belgium and China in the fields of customs, trade facilitation, and food safety, while laying the groundwork for even closer collaboration in the years ahead.

The working visit of the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) to China has literally borne fruit. Aft...
02/06/2026

The working visit of the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) to China has literally borne fruit. After several years of negotiations, the "Protocol of phytosanitary requirements for export of fresh apples from Belgium to China" was signed by FASFC with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). This protocol defines the phytosanitary conditions that Belgian apples must meet in order to be exported to China. The first exports are expected as early as the next growing season.

David Clarinval, Minister of Agriculture:
"This historic agreement is excellent news for our farmers and our fruit sector. China represents a huge market, and I have been working with my administration for years to open up concrete outlets there. I congratulate FASFC on the work accomplished and encourage the sector to prepare now to seize this opportunity."

Christine Romeyns, CEO of FASFC:
"The signing of this protocol is an important and long-awaited step for our fruit sector. It is the result of several years of patient work and dialogue with our Chinese partners. It opens up concrete prospects for our producers, while reminding us that this opportunity comes with high standards: orchards will need to be registered before exports can begin. Through this progress, we are preparing a sustainable and credible access to this strategic market."

About FASFC
The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) has been controlling the entire food chain, from producer to consumer, for 25 years. Its approximately 1,400 employees carry out more than 107,000 inspections each year in food sector companies (farms, manufacturers, slaughterhouses, shops, restaurants, etc.) and take and analyze around 67,000 product samples within the food chain. The Agency is also responsible for animal health and plant health controls and plays an important role in the import and export of foodstuffs, animals, and plants to and from other countries.

On the evening of 28 May, the Embassy of Belgium in Beijing had the honor, in collaboration with Wallonie-Bruxelles Inte...
01/06/2026

On the evening of 28 May, the Embassy of Belgium in Beijing had the honor, in collaboration with Wallonie-Bruxelles International, to welcome Belgian author Jean-Pierre Outers for a presentation of his book 爱恨 (“Loving-Hating”) and a screening of his film China, 87. It was a pleasure to see so many interested guests find their way to our embassy on this sunny evening!

Following the welcome address by Ambassador H.E. Bruno Angelet, Mr. Outers delivered a passionate and engaging presentation on the joys of travel and the discovery of new cultures. Throughout his life, he has traveled extensively around the world and has developed a particular fondness for China and its culture. In his book Loving-Hating, he explores the Chinese language in an accessible and humorous way. The audience listened attentively as Mr. Outers shared his enthusiasm for the Chinese language and its writing system. He explained that in China, nothing exists without its opposite—for example, one cannot truly love without also experiencing hate—hence the title of his book.

After the presentation, the audience was invited to watch the film he made about China at the end of the 1980s. At that time, Mr. Outers was working as a French teacher in China, during which he captured many beautiful scenes of everyday life: people buying and selling animals at markets, parents riding three-wheeled bicycles with their children seated at the back, farmers transporting their harvest, and more. Originally, he did not intend to turn this footage into a film, but at the persistent encouragement of a filmmaker friend, he decided to do so. After five years of editing, the documentary China, 87 was released in 2018.
The film offers a valuable glimpse into a China that is now barely recognizable—one with almost no cars, no delivery drivers, and no smartphones. Thank you very much, Jean-Pierre, for creating this remarkable documentary and for giving us the opportunity to watch it at the Belgian Embassy!

In Belgium, every season has its charm, but for music lovers, the summer festival season is definitely something to look...
28/05/2026

In Belgium, every season has its charm, but for music lovers, the summer festival season is definitely something to look forward to each year. Belgium has an especially diverse and vibrant festival scene, catering to a wide range of musical tastes: jazz, metal, hip-hop, electronic, rock, and classical—you name it, and Belgium has it!

Although the first music festivals already take place in April, last weekend could be considered the unofficial start of the 2026 festival season. We would like to highlight two of the festivals held this weekend: Extrema Outdoor and Gladiolen.

Extrema Outdoor is an electronic music festival with roots in the Netherlands in the 1990s. It played an important role in popularizing house music at the time. The Belgian edition has been organized since 2011, set around a lake in the town of Houthalen-Helchteren in Limburg province. The festival lasts three days and attracts more than 60,000 music fans. It mainly focuses on house and techno, genres that are very popular in Belgium. Each year, the festival aims to feature roughly one-third Belgian artists. Some of this year’s notable performers included Adam Beyer, Peter Luts, I Hate Models, Kölsch, Joris Voorn, and Kevin De Vries. Electronic music superstars such as Amelie Lens, Charlotte de Witte, and Paul Kalkbrenner have also performed at Extrema Outdoor in the past.

A completely different vibe could be found in the town of Olen, in Antwerp province, at the Gladiolen festival (a reference to the town’s name and the Dutch word for the flower gladiolus). The festival started on a very small scale in 2000, but now attracts approximately 20,000 music fans over two days each year. In 2025, it was named “Best Small Festival” at the European Festival Awards. The festival primarily features Belgian artists, and last weekend’s headliner was undoubtedly Pommelien Thijs. This young Belgian singer, who performs in Dutch, has become extremely popular in Belgium and is now one of the hottest festival acts. Just a few weeks ago, she sold out the AFAS Dome—Belgium’s largest indoor music venue, with a capacity of 20,000—five times.

Stay tuned for the next update in this series on the Belgian music festival scene!

Pictures © Gettyimages/royalty free, Shutterstock/Melinda Nagy, Shutterstock/Artie Medvedev, Shutterstock/PeopleImages

The Ambassador of Belgium H.E. Mr. Bruno Angelet visited the headquarters of Hainan Airlines, where he was warmly welcom...
26/05/2026

The Ambassador of Belgium H.E. Mr. Bruno Angelet visited the headquarters of Hainan Airlines, where he was warmly welcomed by the CEO, Mr. YU Chaojie, and his team. The visit started with a tour of the company’s facilities, followed by a demonstration of the flight simulators for A330 and B737 aircraft, which are used for the training of pilots. Over lunch, they exchanged views and engaged in insightful discussions on the company’s operations and flights between China and Belgium. This year, Hainan Airlines celebrates the 20th anniversary of its launch flight between Beijing and Brussels, for the moment it operates four direct links between Brussels and China: Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chongqing.

Belgium not only excels in well-known sports such as cycling, hockey, football, and basketball, but also has many talent...
21/05/2026

Belgium not only excels in well-known sports such as cycling, hockey, football, and basketball, but also has many talented athletes in less prominent disciplines. The taekwondoka Sarah Chaâri is certainly one of them.

Sarah was born in Belgium to a Moroccan father and a Belgian mother. At just 21 years old, she has already won two world titles, one European title, a gold medal at the European Games, and—last but not least—a bronze medal at the Summer Olympics in Paris in 2024. That medal even made her the first-ever European Muslim woman to win an Olympic medal at the Summer Games.

When Sarah travelled to Munich, Germany, for this year’s European Championships, she was considered one of the main title contenders. She fully lived up to her status as the top favourite, not dropping a single round and successfully defending her European title by defeating a Turkish taekwondo athlete in the final.

Pictures © Adisport

From 11 to 13 May, Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of Belgium in Beijing, Mrs Tine Jacobs, paid a visit to Chengdu to...
20/05/2026

From 11 to 13 May, Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of Belgium in Beijing, Mrs Tine Jacobs, paid a visit to Chengdu to learn more about the city’s existing collaborations with Belgium and to explore future opportunities for cooperation.

Belgium and Chengdu collaborate across a wide range of domains. Both Ghent University and KU Leuven maintain research partnerships with universities in the capital of Sichuan Province. In addition, there are cultural exchanges as part of the Chengdu–European Cultural Season, as well as collaborations between companies and both direct passenger and air freight links.

Since 2011, Chengdu and the province of Flemish Brabant have maintained a strategic partnership. In this context, the Governor of Flemish Brabant, Mr Jan Spooren, travelled to Chengdu to participate in the annual Sister Cities Conference on 14 and 15 May. The Governor took the opportunity to organize, together with the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chengdu Municipal People’s Government, the Chengdu Opening-Up and International Cooperation Center, and Flanders Investment & Trade jointly a seminar on investment opportunities in the Belgian province for Chinese companies.

In her welcoming speech, Mrs Jacobs emphasized the dynamic relationship between China and Belgium and highlighted logistics, agrifood, the biomedical and green technology sectors as just a few important fields of collaboration. Mr Jan Spooren presented further the many opportunities the province of Flemish Brabant has to offer to the over 60 participants. Mrs Jacobs and Mr Spooren also had the opportunity to engage with Chengdu’s dynamic business community during a networking dinner.

Mrs Jacobs also attended the meeting between the Governor, Mr Jan Spooren and the Party Secretary of Chengdu, Mr Cao Lijun. During the meeting, Mr Spooren stressed the importance of the partnership with the city of Chengdu and expressed his hope that both sides will further deepen their cooperation across various domains. Mrs Jacobs confirmed the commitment of the Embassy to support the partnership and work together towards a mutual beneficial trade and investment relation.

Pictures © WeChat 开放成都 © WeChat 国际蓉

On the morning of May 12, Mr. Bruno Angelet, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to China, and his delegation visited o...
19/05/2026

On the morning of May 12, Mr. Bruno Angelet, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to China, and his delegation visited our academy. President Yu Hongmei received the guests in the South Hall. Also in attendance were Wei Danwen, Director of the Piano Department; Xie Tian, Director of the Vocal Music and Opera Department; Liu Yang, Director of the Orchestral Instruments Department; Xie Nan, Deputy director of the Orchestral Instruments Department; and Tao Qian, Director of the Office of International Affairs.

President Yu first welcomed Ambassador, on behalf of the university, and briefed them on the Conservatory’s history, development, academic achievements, and international exchange activities. Ambassador Angelet expressed his gratitude for the president’s warm hospitality and inquired in detail about Chinese students’ studies in classical music, as well as the academic experiences of international students at our university. The heads of the Piano Department, Vocal Music and Opera Department, and Orchestral Instruments Department respectively presented an overview of their departments, related artistic activities, and the achievements of their faculty and students.

Ambassador Angelet noted that 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Belgium, and expressed his hope that the two countries would organize more cultural exchange activities and mutual visits by musicians. He also stated that the purpose of his visit was to introduce the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium and to promote the Queen Elisabeth Competition in China. The Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, a premier institution of higher education for classical music located in the suburbs of Brussels, was founded in 1939. It is led by nine resident masters—including renowned pianist Daniel Schiff and cellist Wang Jian—as well as numerous visiting masters. The Queen Elisabeth Competition is one of the world’s most prestigious classical music competitions, founded in Brussels, Belgium, in 1937. The competition covers four categories—piano, violin, cello, and voice—and is held on a four-year cycle.

🌈 On the 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮, 𝗕𝗶𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮 ( #𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗛𝗢𝗧), Belgium reaffirms its unwavering com...
18/05/2026

🌈 On the 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮, 𝗕𝗶𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮 ( #𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗛𝗢𝗧), Belgium reaffirms its unwavering commitment to equality, dignity and human rights for all.

Building inclusive and democratic societies requires that everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, is able to live free from discrimination, fear and persecution. True democracy cannot exist where individuals are marginalized, whether through legislation or societal practices.

Belgium continues to stand in solidarity with LGBTQI+ communities worldwide and to support initiatives that promote respect, inclusion and equal rights.

𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.

On the evening of May 7, the Embassy of Belgium in Beijing opened its doors to music enthusiasts for a special conferenc...
14/05/2026

On the evening of May 7, the Embassy of Belgium in Beijing opened its doors to music enthusiasts for a special conference titled "A Glimpse into the Belgian Music Scene: Eugène Ysaÿe and the Queen Elisabeth Competition." The timing was no coincidence—just days earlier, on May 4, the 75th edition of the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition had begun in Brussels, this year dedicated to the cello for only the third time in its history. Dr. Roland Scheiff, a Belgian musicologist who has lived in China for a decade, led the audience through the fascinating story of the friendship of Eugène Ysaÿe and Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, which resulted in two enduring institutions: the Queen Elisabeth Competition and the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel.

The Queen Elisabeth Competition was founded in 1937 on the initiative of Queen Elisabeth and Eugène Ysaÿe. Originally named the Eugène Ysaÿe International Violin Competition, the competition was interrupted by World War II but revived in 1951, when it was renamed to honor its patron. Since then, the competition has grown into one of the world's most demanding and prestigious classical music contests, ranking alongside the Chopin International Piano Competition and the Tchaikovsky Competition. It operates on a four-year cycle, rotating among violin, piano, voice, and—since 2017—cello.

The competition is known for its rigorous format. Semi-finalists must perform a new compulsory work, while the 12 finalists spend a week in seclusion at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, preparing another contemporary piece with no outside contact. This year's compulsory works include Caffeine by Belgian composer Harold Noben and Four Odes to the Tidings of Flowers by Chinese-American composer Fang Man.

This year's competition is particularly significant. It marks the 75th anniversary of the competition, while also coinciding with the 150th birthdays of both Queen Elisabeth and legendary Catalan cellist Pablo Casals, a close friend of the queen. The winner will receive a truly symbolic prize: the use of Casals' historic 1733 Goffriller cello for four years.

In just a few hours (Belgian time at 15:00 on 14th of May), the only Chinese candidate that has made into the Semi-final round, Jiaxun Yao, will perform Leopold Hofmann Concerto in D major Badley D3 in Flagey. The tickets are all sold out now - of course - but you can still follow the live stream and watch the recordings. Please visit https://queenelisabethcompetition.be/en/competitions-details-watch-listen/events/cello-2026/ for more information. Wish her luck!

Address

Sanlitun Lu 6
Beijing
100600

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 12:30
14:00 - 16:30
Tuesday 09:00 - 12:30
14:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 09:00 - 12:30
14:00 - 16:30
Thursday 09:00 - 12:30
14:00 - 16:30
Friday 09:00 - 12:30
14:00 - 16:30

Telephone

+861085312900

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Embassy of Belgium in China posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Embassy of Belgium in China:

Shortcuts

Share

Category