China urges Belgium to play 'active and constructive' role to ease Beijing's trade tensions with EU

China on Thursday called on Belgium to play a more active and constructive role within the European Union in promoting dialogue to resolve trade differences with Beijing, as both sides seek to stabilize economic ties amid global uncertainty, state-run media reported.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks during talks in Beijing with Maxime Prevot, Belgium's deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, emphasizing the importance of consultation rather than confrontation in resolving disputes between China and the European Union, according to Xinhua News.

Wang said China values its “all-round friendly cooperative partnership” with Belgium, noting that both countries share common ground in supporting international law and resolving conflicts through dialogue.

"China is willing to, together with Belgium, uphold mutual respect, seek common ground while managing differences, maintain close dialogue and communication, enhance mutual understanding and trust, strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, deepen practical cooperation, and jointly elevate China-Belgium relations to a new level," he said.

The meeting also covered key regional and global issues, with Wang outlining China’s positions and Prevot acknowledging Beijing’s efforts to reduce tensions in various hotspots.

Prevot reaffirmed Belgium’s commitment to the one-China policy and expressed support for multilateralism, stressing the need to uphold international rules and institutions.

He also signaled Brussels’ willingness to engage China in “open and constructive” discussions on trade, while opposing protectionist measures.

Both sides highlighted the growing importance of stable China-Europe relations, with Belgium positioning itself as a potential bridge-builder within the EU.

Separately, China has reportedly quietly lifted long-standing sanctions on Dutch Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, clearing the way for a potential visit to Beijing aimed at improving bilateral ties, according to the South China Morning Post.

The trip is expected to take place before summer, though no official date has been confirmed yet.