Belgium's bank application probably delayed
Updated: 2015-04-08 07:39
By Fu Jing(China Daily)
|
|||||||||
Former Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, now mayor of Mons, receives an exclusive interview with China Daily in Mons, Belgium April 2, 2015.[Photo by Fu Jing/chinadaily.com.cn] |
Belgium's former prime minister Elio Di Rupo expressed both excitement and regret when talking about his country's ties with China in recent times, when I spoke with him on Thursday.
He talked excitedly of the two Chinese pandas that moved to Belgium at roughly the same time last year. Di Rupo, who was prime minister at the time, remembered clearly that the agreement on leasing two pandas for 15 years was signed no more than 24 hours after his talks with Premier Li Keqiang in September 2013.
And he was delighted when in February last year, two pandas arrived at Pairi Daiza Zoo in Brugelette and King Philippe I, President Xi Jinping and he unveiled the panda garden on March 31 last year.
Di Rupo said this reflected the closeness in bilateral relations.
However, Di Rupo, now the mayor of Mons and aiming to promote the city, which is this year's European Capital of Culture, to Chinese visitors, is not satisfied with the Belgian government's reluctance to join the China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which has attracted applications from more than 50 countries.
Despite admitting that he is not tracking the issue, Di Rupo was disappointed that his country did not apply to be a founding member even though many other Western European countries have done so.
But he said he believes it is only a question of time before Belgium applies.
On the same day, I met professor Zhang Haiyan, director of the Neoma Business Confucius Institute in Rouen, France, who told me that Beijing's leading role in setting up the AIIB have already resulted in split opinions between those in power and those in opposition in some Western countries.
- Global health entering new era: WHO chief
- Brazil's planning minister steps aside after recordings revelation
- Vietnam, US adopt joint statement on advancing comprehensive partnership
- European border closures 'inhumane': UN refugee agency
- Japan's foreign minister calls A-bombings extremely regrettable
- Fukushima impact unprecedented for oceans: US expert
- Stars of Lijiang River: Elderly brothers with white beards
- Wealthy Chinese children paying money to learn British manners
- Military-style wedding: Fighter jets, grooms in dashing uniforms
- Striking photos around the world: May 16 - May 22
- Robots help elderly in nursing home in east China
- Hanging in the air: Chongqing holds rescue drill
- 2.1-ton tofu finishes in two hours in central China
- Six things you may not know about Grain Buds
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Anti-graft campaign targets poverty relief |
Cherry blossom signal arrival of spring |
In pictures: Destroying fake and shoddy products |
China's southernmost city to plant 500,000 trees |
Cavers make rare finds in Guangxi expedition |
Cutting hair for Longtaitou Festival |
Today's Top News
Liang avoids jail in shooting death
China's finance minister addresses ratings downgrade
Duke alumni visit Chinese Embassy
Marriott unlikely to top Anbang offer for Starwood: Observers
Chinese biopharma debuts on Nasdaq
What ends Jeb Bush's White House hopes
Investigation for Nicolas's campaign
Will US-ASEAN meeting be good for region?
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |