Belgium, China vow to deepen ties, boost mutual trust

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Brussels on Tuesday, pledging to deepen exchanges and enhance mutual trust with China.

De Wever noted that Belgium and China have enjoyed a long history of exchanges, with vibrant local-level friendly communications, and that Belgium plays a gateway role in Europe-China cooperation.

Recalling his multiple visits to China, De Wever said he was deeply impressed by China's development achievements. Despite differing perspectives, he stressed the importance of enhancing exchanges and increasing mutual trust in the face of the current complex geopolitical landscape.

Moreover, he reaffirmed Belgium's commitment to multilateralism and support for a greater autonomous Europe while expressing the hope that the upcoming EU-China leaders' meeting will yield positive results.

De Wever also stressed that Belgium firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and this stance will not change.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, highlighted Belgium's unique role in the European integration process and China-EU relations as a founding member of the European Union (EU) and host of the EU headquarters.

Wang said that China appreciates the rational and pragmatic China policy pursued by the new Belgian government and is willing to work with Belgium to carry forward the traditional friendship and advance the all-round partnership of friendly cooperation between the two countries in a steady and sustained manner.

Meanwhile, Wang said China remains committed to high-quality development and high-level opening-up, welcoming more Belgian enterprises to China to develop their businesses and hoping that Belgium will likewise provide Chinese companies investing in Belgium with a fair, secure, and predictable business environment.

Wang also said this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, which carries significant meaning as a bridge between the past and the future. The half-century-long journey of China-EU engagement has fully demonstrated that the two sides can achieve mutual respect and win-win cooperation, he added.

Amid a complex and volatile international landscape, Wang said, China and the EU, as two major forces, markets, and civilizations in the world, should uphold the positioning as partners and the main theme of win-win cooperation, strengthening communication, enhancing understanding and consolidating mutual trust to jointly safeguard multilateralism and the free trade system. Together, they should serve as an "anchor of stability" of the world and act as reliable and strong partners who support and empower each other.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues including Ukraine.

Belgium, China vow to deepen ties, boost mutual trust

China, EU should enhance communication, jointly safeguard multilateralism: Wang Yi

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that the main objective of U.S. "aggression" against Iran is to dominate the country's resources, and said that Iran will spare no effort in defending its national sovereignty.

He made the remarks at a weekly press conference in the Iranian capital Tehran while elaborating on the goals pursued by the United States in the joint strikes it has waged along with Israel against Iran since late last month.

"Does anybody have any doubt about the U.S. goal of seeking to dominate other countries' resources? We heard (U.S. Senator Lindsey) Graham proudly saying that if the U.S. can seize oil from Iran and Venezuela, they would control 31 percent of the world's oil resources," the spokesman said.

Baghaei condemned U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian medical facilities and civilian infrastructure, saying that, regardless of the excuses used by the U.S. and Israel, their targets are the Iranian people, and they aim to destroy Iran. The Iranian people will never allow the enemies to succeed, he said.

"Regarding the attack on the school in Minab (southern Iran), the U.S. initially said that it would conduct an investigation. However on Sunday, the U.S. falsely attributed the incident to 'Iran.' This is shameful. Such shamelessness and criminal behavior by the U.S. is nauseating. Iran is doing everything possible to resist, defend its dignity and honor, and protect the Iranian people from the most despicable actions," he said.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the U.S. launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing the country's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, some of the leader's family members, high-ranking military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases in the Middle East.

Iran says US "aggression" aimed at dominating resources