Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), spoke highly of the friendly cooperation between China and Belgium in his meeting with Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium in Beijing Monday.

Jia appreciated Philippe's effort for boosting bilateral relations between China and Belgium, saying in the past few years, the two countries have kept frequent high-level exchanges and enhanced mutual political trust.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao paid a successful visit to Belgium last May, which witnessed lots of consensus reached by the two sides on development of bilateral relations and economic and trade cooperation, he said.

The two countries are implementing those agreements, he said. He said he hoped the two sides will actively discuss mutual-benefit cooperation in various forms and boost the economic and trade cooperation to a new level.

"As an important member of the European Union and locale of the EU headquarters, Belgium plays a unique role in international and regional affairs," said he.

Jia also said he appreciates Belgium's adherence to the one-China policy.

Belgian Crown Prince Philippe, who came to China with an economic and trade delegation of about 500 people, agreed with Jia on appraisal of the Belgium-China relations. Belgium is willing to enhance relations with China, by underscoring economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency November 23, 2004)