Белгија

Historicalevolution

Earlydays

Mainentry:HistoryofBelgium

TheancientCeltslivedinpresent-dayBelgium.

From57BCto51BC,itwasconqueredbytheRomanCaesarandbelongedtotheprovinceofRome-theprovinceofBelgica.

Fromthe4thcenturyAD,itwasoccupiedbytheFranksandbecameapartoftheFrankishkingdom.

In843AD,thegrandchildrenofCharlemagneoftheCarolingiandynastysignedtheTreatyofVerdun.ThepartwestoftheScheldtinFlandersbelongedtoFranceandtheparttotheeastbelongedtoFrance.HolyRomanEmpire.ThisisalsotheoriginofthedifferencebetweentheFrench-speakingareaof​​BelgiumandtheGerman-speakingareaof​​Belgium.

Inthe11thcentury,afeudalregimeoftheMarquisofCambrai,Liège,UtrechtandtheearlsofBrabant,Henigao,Namur,Limburg,andLuxembourgformedafeudalregime.ThefirstcitiesinFlandersandBrabanthaveappearedsincethe10thcentury,andsince1071theyhavedevelopedintothefirsturbancommunesinEurope.TheyhavedevelopedgreatlythroughtradewithEasternEurope,SouthernEurope,ByzantiumandtheEast.

People'suprisingsbrokeoutinBruges,YpresandothercitiesinFlandersin1280.ThecityaristocratsalliedwithFranceinordertosuppresstheuprising.In1300,theFrenchoccupiedFlanders,andin1301and1302thecraftsmenofBrugesroseupagainsttheFrenchandurbannobles("BruggeMorningPrayer").OnJuly11,1302,theyunitedwithFlemishfarmersanddefeatedtheFrenchknightarmynearKortrijk(the"BattleoftheGoldenBoot").

FlandersbelongedtotheDuchyofBurgundyin1384.BurgundysuccessivelyacquiredtheterritoriesofNamur,Brabant,Limburg,Henigau,Holland,ZeelandandLuxembourginthe15thcentury.Belgiumgraduallyunified.

BelgiumwasruledbytheHabsburgfamilyin1477.From1506to1713,theSpanishHabsburgfamily,togetherwiththeNetherlandsandLuxembourg,formedtheSpanishNetherlandsandwasruledbySpain.In1713,BelgiumwastransferredtotheHabsburgfamilyofAustria.UprisingsagainstAustrianrulebrokeoutin1789and1792.In1794,AustriawasdefeatedbyFranceinFleurus,andBelgiumcededtoFrance.

In1815,theViennaConferencedecidedtoincorporateBelgiumintotheNetherlands.Theartificialunityproducedoppositionsinreligion,culture,andlanguage.In1828,theBelgianLiberalPartyandtheCatholicPartyunitedtoformacoalitionofoppositionparties,fightingfortheabolitionofthenewtaxandforlegalequality.OnAugust25,1830,thepeopleofBrusselsheldanuprising.OnNovember18ofthesameyear,theBelgianNationalAssemblydeclaredtheindependenceofBelgiumasaconstitutionalmonarchy,andsubsequentlyformulatedtheconstitution.

TheLondonConferenceattendedbyBritain,FranceandPrussiaonJanuary20,1831recognizedBelgium’sindependenceandguaranteeditspermanentneutrality.OnJune4,1831,theNationalAssemblyelectedPrinceLeopoldofSaxony-Coburgasking,andhewascalledLeopoldI(reignedfrom1831to1865).BelgiumsignedapeacetreatywiththeNetherlandsin1839,andtheNetherlandsrecognizedBelgiumasanindependentcountry.

Afterindependence

From1831to1870,Belgium'scoalandsmeltingindustriesdevelopedrapidly.Attheendofthe19thcentury,BelgiumtransitionedfromliberalcapitalismtoimperialismandparticipatedinthepartitionofAfrica.

Since1876,BelgiumhasinvadedandoccupiedCongoleseterritory.In1908,theFreeStateofCongobecameaBelgiancolony.

BelgiumwasoccupiedbyGermanforcesduringtheFirstWorldWar.InNovember1918,Belgiumrecovered.In1919,BelgiumtookoverOppen-MalmedyandRwanda-UlundifromGermany.ItformedamilitaryalliancewithFrancein1920andaneconomicalliancewithLuxembourgin1922.In1925,hejoinedtheLocarnoConvention.In1936,LeopoldIII(reignedfrom1934to1950)declared“absoluteneutrality”andwithdrewfromtheLocarnoConvention.

BelgiumwasagainoccupiedbyfascistGermanyduringWorldWarII.OnMay28,1940,LeopoldIIIsignedthesurrender,andtheBelgiangovernmentwentintoexileinBritain.TheBelgianpeopleactivelylaunchedananti-fasciststruggle.BelgiumrecoveredinSeptember1944.In1944,BelgiumformedacustomsunionwiththeNetherlandsandLuxembourg(developedintotheEconomicUnionofBelgium,theNetherlands,andLuxembourgin1958).AndwithFrance,theUnitedKingdom,LuxembourgandtheNetherlandstoconcludearegionaldefenseorganization.JoinedtheNorthAtlanticTreatyOrganizationinApril1949.

Afterthenationalreferendumin1950,LeopoldIIIwasforcedtoabdicateandhissonBaudouinIsucceededtothethrone.BelgiumjoinedtheEuropeanEconomicCommunityin1958.AftermanystrugglesamongtheBelgianCongolesepeople,BelgiumwasforcedtoagreetoCongo(nowZaire)independenceonJune30ofthesameyearattheBrusselsConferenceinearly1960.OnJuly13,BelgiumlaunchedamilitaryattackonthenewlyestablishedRepublicofCongo,whichwascondemnedbyinternationalpublicopinionandwithdrewitstroops.RwandaandBurundideclaredtheirindependenceonJuly1,1962.BelgiancolonialruleinAfricaended.

Sincethe1970s,duetothedomesticeconomiccrisisandtheintensificationofethniclanguagecontradictions,thepoliticalsituationhasbeenunstable.From1968to1981,thecabinetchanged10times.InearlyelectionsinNovember1981,Martensformedafour-partycoalitiongovernmentonDecember17th.In1984,therulingpartiescoordinatedinternalandexternalpoliciesandformulatedathree-yeareconomicausterityplan,andthedomesticpoliticalsituationwasrelativelystable.GeneralelectionswereheldonOctober13,1985,andthecoalitiongovernmentcontinuedtoruleonNovember28,andMaltenswasre-electedasprimeminister.

OnOctober28,2015,hewaselectedasamemberoftheUnitedNationsHumanRightsCouncilforatermfrom2016to2018.

OnNovember28,2016,theNetherlandsandBelgiumsignedanagreementonborderchangesandterritorialswapsbetweenthetwocountries.

OnJune8,2018,theUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblyelectedBelgiumasanon-permanentmemberoftheSecurityCouncilfor2019and2020.

Naturalenvironment

Location

BelgiumislocatedinthewestofEurope,withtheNetherlandstothenorth,Germanytotheeast,Luxembourgtothesoutheast,Francetothesouthandwest,andFrancetothenorthwestItisonthebrinkoftheNorthSea.Thelandareais30528squarekilometers(includingtheenclaveintheNetherlands-Bale-Eldon),theterritorialwatersandexclusiveeconomiczoneare3462squarekilometers,andthecoastlineis66.5kilometerslong.

Topography

Two-thirdsofthelandareaof​​Belgiumishillsandflatlowlands.Thelowestpointisslightlybelowsealevel.ThewholeterritoryisdividedintothenorthwesterncoastalFlemishplainsandthecentralhills.,ThreepartsoftheArdennesPlateauinthesoutheast.Thehighestpointis694metersabovesealevel.Thewesternplainisflat,withmanyriversandsufficientirrigation;theeasternpartistheArdennes,withelevatedterrainandhighforestcoverage.Thedistancebetweenthetwoendsofthecountryis280kilometers.

Climaticcharacteristics

BelgiumisaffectedbythewarmNorthAtlanticcurrentflowingalongthecoast.Ithasatemperateoceanicclimatewithmildrainyandhumidclimatethroughouttheyear.

Naturalresources

Belgiumispoorinnaturalresourcesandhasahighdegreeofdependenceonforeignresources.Therearestillsmallamountsofiron,zinc,lead,andcopper.Asof2014,Belgiancoalreservesare3.7billiontons,ofwhich1.8billiontonsareworthmining.Sincethe1980s,majorcoalminesinBelgiumhaveceasedmining.Inaddition,thereareasmallamountofiron,zinc,lead,andcopperore.Theforestareaaccountsfor23%ofthecountry'slandarea.Belgium'scrudeoilandnaturalgasaretotallydependentonimports,andtheimportdependenceofprimaryenergyconsumptioniscloseto80%,whichissignificantlyhigherthantheEUaverage.Thereare7nuclearpowerplants,accountingfor65%ofthetotalpowergeneration.Theforestandgreenareacoveranareaof​​6,070squarekilometers(2002).

CoaloncemadeoutstandingcontributionstotheeconomicdevelopmentofBelgium,butithasbeenexhausted.76%ofthecountry'senergydemanddependsonimports.OilresourcesaremainlyimportedfromRussia,theMiddleEast,andNorway.In2018,39.0%ofitselectricenergycamefromnuclearpower,35.4%camefromfossilenergy,and25.6%reliedonrenewableenergysuchasbiomass,solar,andwindenergy.Thereareasmallamountofiron,zinc,lead,andcopper.Forestsandgreenareascoveranareaof​​6,059squarekilometers.

Administrativedivisions

Belgiumisdividedinto3regions,10provincesand589municipalities.10provinces:Antwerp,WestFlanders,EastFlanders,Limburg,FlemishBrabant,WalloniaBrabant,Liege,Hainaut,NamurAndLuxembourgprovince.

ThecapitalBrussels(French:Bruxelles,Dutch:Brussels),thecityof"EuropeanCapital",istheBrusselsCapitalRegion,coveringanareaof​​162squarekilometersandapopulationof1.199million,ofwhich85%oftheresidentsspeakFrench,15%speakDutch,andforeignersmakeupabout1/3ofthecity’spopulation.BrusselsisthelargestcityinBelgiumandthemainadministrativebodyoftheEuropeanUnion.BrusselsisalsothecapitalofFlandersandthecenteroftheFrench-speakingpartofBelgium.Indifferentcontexts,Brusselshasdifferentextensions.AmongthethreemaininstitutionsoftheEuropeanUnion,theEuropeanCommissionandtheEuropeanCouncilofMinistersarelocatedinBrussels.Anotherimportantinstitution,theEuropeanParliament,alsohasabranchinBrussels(theentireParliamentisinStrasbourg,France),soithasthereputationofbeingaEuropeancapital.Inaddition,theheadquartersoftheNorthAtlanticTreatyOrganizationisalsolocatedinBrussels.Manyinternationalconferencesareheldhereeveryyear,andmorethan200internationaladministrativecentersandmorethan1,000officialorganizationshaveofficeshere.BrusselsisnotonlytheadministrativecenteroftheEuropeanUnion,theseatoftheEuropeanCommissionandtheCounciloftheEuropeanUnion,butalsotheseatoftheNorthAtlanticTreatyOrganizationandtheWorldCustomsCooperationCouncil.

Nationalsymbol

Nationalflag

TheBelgiannationalflagisrectangularwithalengthtowidthratioof15:13.Fromlefttoright,theflagsurfaceiscomposedofthreeparallelandequalverticalrectanglesconnectedbyblack,yellow,andred.Blackisasolemnandcommemorativecolor,whichexpressesmourningfortheheroeswhodiedinthe1830WarofIndependence;yellowsymbolizesthewealthofthecountryandtheharvestofanimalhusbandryandagriculture;redsymbolizesthelivesandbloodofpatriots,andalsosymbolizestheachievementsofthewarofindependenceGreatvictory

Belgiumisahereditaryconstitutionalmonarchy.Theking'scarhoistedtheking'sflag.Theking'sflagisdifferentfromthenationalflag.Itisasquareshape.Theflagissimilartothebrowncolor.ThereistheBelgiannationalembleminthemiddleoftheflag.

NationalEmblem

TheNationalEmblemofBelgiumisdividedintotwoversions,largeandsmall.Thelargeversionofthenationalemblemisacloak.Thecentralpatternofthenationalemblemisapatternofalionstandingonablackshieldemblem.Thispairoflionsiscalledthe"BelgianLion"(Latin:LeoBelgicus),andisthenationalsymbolofBelgium.Thenthereisthecrossedkingscepter,whichsymbolizesthemajestyandpoweroftheroyalfamily.

ThecoatofarmsissurroundedbytheornatelydecoratedribbonofthefirstkingLeopold’smedal;oneachsidethereisalionholdingthenationalflag.Inaddition,inthenationalemblem,thereisasymbolofthemonarchy.Redblouse.Onthetopofthisredjacket,thereisacrown.UndertheringhangsaLeopold(Belgianfirst-generationmonarch)medal,andbehinditisagoldenscepterthatsymbolizesroyalpowerandjustice;itisdecoratedwithagorgeouscrown.

The9flagsatthetopofthenationalemblemrepresentthe9provincesofBelgium(butthereareactually10provinces).TheredribbonatthebaseofthenationalemblemwritesthenationalmottoinFrenchandFlemish:"Unityisstrength"(French:L'unionfaitlaforce,Dutch:Eendrachtmaaktmacht).ThisversionofthenationalemblemwasusedonMay17,1837.

NationalAnthem

"SongoftheBraban"(French:LaBrabançonne;Dutch:DeBrabançonne;German:DasLiedvonBrabant)

Themeaningofthelyrics:Afterhundredsofyearsofenslavement,theBelgianislookingupagain.Thereputationwasrestoredwithcourage,thelawwasrenewed,andthebannerremainedthesame.Yourstrongandbravehandswillneverbeswayedbyanyone.Inscribedonyourancientflag:King,LawandFreedom!

NationalFlower

ThenationalflowerofBelgiumisthepoppy.TheBelgianpeoplelovethecolorfulpoppiesandregarditastheirnationalflower.Thepoppyisaone-ortwo-year-oldherbaceousornamentalplantofthePapaveraceaefamily,whichisnativetotemperateregionsoftheEuropeancontinent.

Populationandethnicity

Asoftheendof2013,thetotalpopulationofBelgiumwas11.196million.Amongthem,theFlemishregion,whichspeaksDutch,accountsfor57.3%ofthepopulation,andtheWalloniaregionthatspeaksFrench.Thepopulationaccountsfor32.3%,andthepopulationoftheBrussels-CapitalRegionaccountsfor10.4%.ItisoneofthemostdenselypopulatedcountriesinWesternEurope.

Flemishpeopleaccountedfor58%;Walloonsaccountedfor41%;Germansaccountedfor1%.

TheDutch-speakingFlemishRegionhas6.373millionpeople,andtheFrench-speakingWalloniaRegionhas4million.80%oftheresidentsbelieveinCatholicism.

Politics

Government

Belgiumimplementsapoliticalsystemofseparationofpowers.Legislativepower,judicialpower,andadministrativepoweraremutuallyindependentandmutuallycheckandbalance.Thekingisasymbolofthecountry.

Federalgovernment:responsibleformattersrelatedtotheoverallinterestsofthecountry.Suchasdiplomacy,nationaldefense,economy,socialwelfare,publicsecurity,transportation,communications,etc.

Communitygovernment:responsibleforlanguage,cultureandeducation.Suchasschools,libraries,theaters,etc.

Administrativedistrictgovernment:responsibleforlocallandandpropertyaffairs.Suchasregionaleconomy,planning,housingconstruction,transportation,etc.,forexample,aschoolbuildinginBrusselsisunderthejurisdictionoftheBrusselsadministrativeregion,buttheschoolasaneducationalinstitutionisgovernedbytheDutchcommunitygovernment(ifthefirstlanguagetaughtintheschoolisDutch)orFrenchThecommunitygovernment(iftheschool’sfirstlanguageisFrench)isresponsible.Thisisacomplexbutwidelyacceptedinitiativetoensurethatvariousculturescancoexistpeacefully.

Constitution

Thefirstconstitutionwasformulatedin1831.ThenewconstitutionwaspromulgatedinFebruary1994,retainingtheoriginalconstitution’s2/3clausesonbasicfreedoms,powersharingandnationaldemocracy,andstipulatingthat:thefederalsystemofahereditarymonarchyisimplemented,thekingistheheadofstateandthesupremecommanderofthethreearmies,andtheparliamentExerciselegislativepowerandexerciseexecutivepowerjointlywiththegovernment,buttherealpowerlieswiththegovernment,andthegovernmentisaccountabletotheparliament.Theparliamentisbicameral,andtheHouseofRepresentativesexerciseslegislativepowers.TheSenateenjoysthesamepowersastheHouseofRepresentativesinconstitutionalamendments,foreignaffairs,andnationalsystemreforms.Inotherrespects,itonlyhaslegislativeadviceandadvisorypowers.Thenewconstitutionexpandstheinternalanddiplomaticpowersoftheregionalgovernment.Forthefirsttime,thenewconstitutionrecognizestherightofsuccessiontothethroneoffemaleroyalfamilymembers.InJanuary2014,theparliamentmadethelatestamendmentstotheconstitution.Thetermoftheparliamentwasextendedfrom4to5years.TheSenatewaschangedtoanon-permanentinstitution,andthefederalgovernmentfurtherdelegatedpowerstolocalgovernments.

Parliament

TheFederalParliamentiscomposedof150membersoftheHouseofRepresentativesand60senators,withatermof5years.MembersoftheHouseofRepresentativesaredirectlyelectedby11constituenciesacrossthecountry.SinceMay2014,theFederalSenatehasbeenanon-permanentbody.Forthefirsttime,thenumberofsenatorshasbeenreducedfrom71to60.Amongthem,50areappointedbyregionalandlanguage-speakingcouncils,and10areselectedbytheSenateafteritisswornin.Theking’schildrenwhohavereachedtheageof18arelegalsenatorsbutdonotvote.

ThecurrentBelgianFederalParliamentwaselectedonJune13,2010.TheSpeakeroftheSenateDeBethune(SabinedeBethune,female,Dutch-speakingChristianDemocrats),andtheSpeakeroftheHouseofRepresentativesAndreFrauAustrian(AndréFlahaut,FrenchSocialistParty).

Judicial

Belgiumhas225publicsecuritycourts,27courtsoffirstinstance,5courtsofappeal,and1SupremeCourt.Eachofthe10provincesandtheBrussels-CapitalRegionhas1felonycourt.Thethree-tiercourtsallhavecorrespondingprocuratorialagencies.Judgesofthecourtsatalllevelsareappointedandremovedbythekingdirectlyoronthenominationoftheparliamentatthesamelevel,andserveforlife.Prosecutorsatalllevelsareappointedandremovedbythekingbasedonthenominationofthegovernment.SupremeCourtPresidentDeconin(BeatrijsDeconinck).TheChiefProsecutoroftheSupremeProcuratorateHenkes(AndréHenkes).

Politicalparties

ThepoliticalpartiesinBelgiumalsofullyembodythefederalsystem.ThemajorpartiesarethemajorpartiesinFlemishorWallonia,andthereisnomajornationalparty..

(1)NewFlemishAllianceParty(NVA):Establishedin2001,formerlyknownasVolksunie(Volksunie)foundedin1954.ThecurrentchairmanBartDeWever(BartDeWever).Inthe2010federalelection,itbecamethelargestpartyintheDutch-speakingregionandwonthemostseatsintheHouseofRepresentatives.In2014,itwasthelargestpartyinthecountryandtheDutch-speakingregioninthe"three-in-one"electionsofthefederal,regional,andEuropeanParliaments.

(2)TheDutchChristianDemocraticParty(CD&V):ThepredecessorwastheDutchChristianPeople’sPartywhichsplitfromtheChristianSocialistPartyin1968.Itwasrenamedin1999.ThecurrentpartychairmanWouterBeke(WouterBeke).

(3)DutchOpenLiberalDemocraticParty(OPENVLD):FoundedinNovember1992,itspredecessorwasthePartijvoorVrijheidenVooruitgang(PVV)establishedin1972.ThecurrentpartychairmanGwendolynRutten(GwendolynRutten).

(4)Dutch-speakingSocialistParty(SP.A):In1978,theBelgianSocialistPartysplitintotheDutch-speakingSocialistParty(SP)andtheFrench-speakingSocialistParty(PS)duetoethnicconflicts.In2001,SPchangeditsnametoSP.A.ThecurrentpartychairmanJohnCrombez(JohnCrombez).

(5)TheFlemishInterestParty(VlaamsBelang):InDecember1978,theFlemishNationalParty(VNP)andtheFlemishPeople’sParty(VVP)mergedintotheFlemishGroup(VlaamsBelang).Blok)andlaterchangeditsnametotheFlemishInterestsParty.ThecurrentpartychairmanTomVanGrieken(TomVanGrieken).

(6)French-speakingSocialistParty(PS):thelargestpartyintheFrench-speakingSouth.ThepredecessorsweretheBelgianWorkers'Party(POB)foundedin1885andtheBelgianSocialistParty(PSB)foundedin1945.In1978,theSocialistPartysplitintoFrench-speakingSocialistParty(PS)andDutch-speakingSocialistParty(SP)accordingtolanguage.ThecurrentpartychairmanThierryGiet(ThierryGiet).

(7)FrenchReformMovementParty(MR):ThepredecessorwastheLiberalParty(PL)foundedin1846.ItwastheoldestpoliticalpartyinBelgium,anditwassplitafterwards.OnMarch24,2002,theFrenchReformLiberalParty(PRL),theFrenchDemocraticFront(FDF),andtheNationalReformMovement(MCC)mergedtoformtheFrenchReformMovement(MR).ThecurrentpartychairmanChastelOlivier(ChastelOlivier).

(8)French-speakingHumanitarianDemocraticCenterParty(CDH):In1968,itsplitfromtheChristianSocialistPartyandbecametheFrench-speakingChristianSocialistParty(PSC),whichwaschangedtoitscurrentnamein2002.ThepartychairmanisBenoîtLutgen.

(9)DutchGreenParty(Groen):FormerlyknownastheDutchEcologicalParty(Agalev)establishedin1982,itwaschangedtoitscurrentnamein2003.PartyChairmanMeyremAlmaci(MeyremAlmaci).

(10)FrenchEcologicalParty(Ecolo):Foundedin1980.Thepartyexercisescollectiveleadership.

Inaddition,therearesmallpartiessuchastheBelgianWorkers’Party,theFrench-speakingDemocraticFederalParty,andtheFrench-speakingPeople’sParty.

Government

OnOctober11,2014,theFrenchInnovativeMovementParty,theDutchNewFlemishUnionParty,theDutchChristianDemocraticParty,andtheDutchOpenLiberalDemocraticPartyformedtheBelgianFederation.government.InDecember2018,theNewFlemishAllianceParty,thelargestpartyintherulingcoalition,announceditswithdrawalfromthegovernmentduetooppositiontothegovernment’sadoptionoftheGlobalCompactonImmigration.ThethenPrimeMinisterCharlesMichelsubsequentlyannouncedhisresignation,andKingPhilipdesignatedthecurrentcabinetasGuardthecabinetuntilthenewgovernmentisformedafterthegeneralelectioninMay2019.OnJuly2,2019,thePrimeMinisteroftheCaretakerCabinetCharlesMichelwaselectedasthenewPresidentoftheEuropeanCouncil.OnOctober27,KingPhilipappointedSophieWilmes,MinisterofFederalGovernmentBudget,PublicAffairs,NationalGamingandSciencePolicy,toreplaceMichelleasPrimeMinisteroftheCaretakerCabinet.OnSeptember30,2020,sevenpoliticalpartiesincludingtheFrench-speakingSocialistPartyofBelgiumandtheDutch-speakingSocialistPartyreachedanagreementonthebudgetpolicy,taxreformandothergovernanceplans,andagreedtoelectDeCroweasthenewcabinetprimeminister.

Dignitaries

KingPhilippeLeopoldLouisMarie.BornonApril15,1960.From1978to1981,hestudiedattheRoyalMilitaryAcademyofBelgium,andthenwenttoBritishandAmericanuniversitiesforfurtherstudies,majoringinpoliticalscience.SinceAugust1993,PhiliphasservedasthehonorarychairmanoftheBoardofDirectorsoftheForeignTradeBureauandconcurrentlyasthehonorarychairmanoftheFederalCouncilforSustainableDevelopment.HewassworninasaSenatoroftheFederalSenateonJune21,1994.Wasawardedtherankofmajorgeneralin2001.AscendedthethroneonJuly21,2013.Heismarriedwithtwodaughtersandtwosons.Asthecrownprince,hevisitedChinain2004,2007,2008(attendedtheopeningceremonyoftheBeijingOlympicGames),2010(attendedtheBelgianNationalPavilionDayattheShanghaiWorldExpo),and2011(attendedthecelebrationofthe40thanniversaryoftheestablishmentofdiplomaticrelationsbetweenChinaandBelgium).InJune2015,hevisitedChinaforthefirsttimeasaking.InJanuary2017,PresidentXiJinpingmetwithhimduringhisattendanceattheWorldEconomicForuminDavos.InJune2017,PremierLiKeqiangmetwithhimduringhisvisittoBelgium. 

PrimeMinisterAlexanderDeCrowe.Bornin1975,since2012,hehassuccessivelyservedastheDeputyPrimeMinisteroftheFederalGovernmentandtheMinisterofPensionAffairs,theMinisterofTelecommunications,andtheMinisterofDevelopmentCooperationAffairs.InauguratedasPrimeMinisterofBelgiumonOctober1,2020.

Economy

Overview

Belgiumisadevelopedcapitalistindustrialcountrywithahighdegreeofeconomicdependenceonforeigncountries.80%ofrawmaterialsareimported,andmorethan50%ofindustrialproductsForexport.

Themaineconomicdatafor2019areasfollows:

Grossdomesticproduct:530.2billionUSdollars.

Economicgrowthrate:1.4%.

Inflationrate:1.5%.

Unemploymentrate:5.4%.

Publicdebtratio:98.6%.

(Source:officialstatistics)

Industry

Belgiumisoneofthemostindustrializedregionsintheworld.Oneofthecountriesoftheindustrialrevolution.

Themainindustrialsectorsincludesteel,machinery,non-ferrousmetals,chemicals,textiles,glass,coalandotherindustries.ForeigntradeisthelifebloodoftheBelgianeconomy.ThemaintradingpartnersarethememberstatesoftheEuropeanCommunity,followedbyotherEuropeancountries,NorthAmerica,AsiaandAfrica.ForeigninvestmentismainlyintheFarEast,followedbyCongo(Kinshasa),Burundi,Rwanda,Europe,LatinAmericaandNorthAmerica.Themaininvestmentsectorsaremetallurgy,buildingmaterialsandserviceindustries.Thetotalamountofforeignaideachyearisabout25billionfrancs(about670millionUSdollars),withmorethan100recipientcountries,andAfricancountriesaccountingfor75%.50%oftheloanassistancegoestoAsiancountries.

Agriculture

In2013,theaddedvalueofagriculture,animalhusbandryandfisherywas2.691billioneuros,accountingforabout0.73%ofGDP.Theagriculturalemploymentpopulationis75,500,accountingforabout1.28%ofthetotallaborforce.Theareaof​​agriculturallandisapproximately1.334millionhectares.

Serviceindustry

Thetertiaryindustryisdevelopingrapidly.In2013,theaddedvaluewas265.993billioneuros,accountingfor72%ofGDP,anincreaseof0.5%overthepreviousyear.Thenumberofemployeesintheserviceindustryisapproximately3.6402million,accountingfor80%ofthetotallaborforce.

Tourism

In2016,36.85milliondomesticandforeigntouristswerereceived.Tourismrevenueisabout10billionU.S.dollars.ThemaintouristspotsaretheAshandistrict,theNorthSeacoastandthecityofBrussels.

FinancialFinance

In2017,thefiscalrevenueofthefederalgovernmentwas249.7billionU.S.dollars,thefiscalexpenditurewas257billionU.S.dollars,andthefiscaldeficitwas7.93billionU.S.dollars.Publicdebtaccountsfor103.2%ofGDP.(Source:CIA)

AsofDecember2016,theforeignexchangereserveswere23.57billionU.S.dollars.AsofDecember2017,thegoldreserveswere227.4tons.

ThemainBelgianbanksare:NationalBankofBelgium,KBCBank,BNPParibasFortis,INGBelgium,AXABankEurope,Belfiusbank,Crelan,BpostBank,Argenta,RecordBank,etc.

Foreigntrade

Thecountryisestablishedbytrade,andtheproportionofexportstoGDPranks19thintheworld.Naturalresourcesarepoorandtheeconomyishighlydependentonforeigncountries.80%ofindustrialandagriculturalrawmaterialsareimported,andmorethan50%ofindustrialproductsareforexport.Smallandmedium-sizedenterprisesarethemainforceoftheeconomy.ThePortofAntwerpisthesecondlargestportinEurope.Theeconomyisstronginthenorthandweakinthesouth.TheFlemishRegion’sexportsaccountfornearly80%ofthecountry’stotalexports.

Themainimportandexportproductsarerawmaterials,transportationequipment,chemicalproductsandfood.ThemaintradingpartnersareGermany,theNetherlandsandFrance,followedbyotherEuropeancountriesandNorthAmerica,AsiaandAfrica.

Belgiumistheworld'sroughdiamonddistributioncenter,controlling80%oftheworld'sroughdiamondtransactions,55%ofprocesseddiamonds,and45%ofindustrialnaturaldiamonds.ThemainsourcesofdiamondsareCongo(Kinshasa),Congo(Brazzaville)andLiberia.ThemainexportersareChinaandIndia.

Foreigninvestment

Thetotalforeigninvestmentin2011was40.9billioneuros.Keyinvestmentcountries:Sweden,Spain,France,theNetherlands,Luxembourg,theUnitedKingdom,Brazil,theUnitedStates,andGermany.Bytheendof2012,Belgiumhadinvestedin881projectsinChina,withanactualinvestmentofUS$1.29billion.

TheBelgianeconomyisverydependentoninternationaltrade.Abouttwo-thirdsofthecountry’sGNPcomesfromexports.TheaverageexportsaretwicethatofGermanyandfivetimesthatofJapan.Belgium'sexportadvantagecomesfromitsimportantgeographicallocationandhighlytechnical,multilingualandefficientlaborforce.Belgiummainlyimportsfood,machinery,diamonds(unfinishedproducts),petroleum,chemicalmaterials,textiles;mainlyexportsautomobiles,food,steel,medicines,diamonds(finishedproducts),textiles,etc.

ForeignAid

In2014,itprovidedUS$2.437billioninofficialpublicdevelopmentassistance,accountingfor0.46%ofGDP.Majorrecipientcountries:Congo(Kinshasa),Rwanda,Burundi,Mali,etc.TheBelgiangovernmentpledgedtoAfghanistantoaid12millioneurosperyearforthereconstructionofcivilianfacilitiesinAfghanistanwithinthreeyearsfrom2015.

Foreigncapital

TheBelgiangovernmentadoptsanencouragingpolicyforforeigncapital,whichismostlyintheformofmultinationalormultinationalcompanies,whichpromotesemploymentandexpansionofexports.Themaininvestmentsectorsareindustryandserviceindustries.

Culture

Holidays

IndependenceDay:October4,1830

NationalDay:July21,1831(KingLeopoldIascendedthethrone)

Language

Theofficiallanguages​​ofBelgiumareDutch,FrenchandGerman.DutchismainlyspokenintheFlemishregionofnorthernBelgium,FrenchismainlyspokeninthesouthernWalloniaregion,andGermanisspokenintheeasternregionofLiegeProvinceintheeast,butthenumberisverysmall.

Religion

ThemainreligioninBelgiumisCatholicism.Believersaccountfor75%-80%ofthepopulation,andonly10%-20%regularlyparticipateinworshipservices.OtherreligionsincludeIslam,ProtestantChristianity,andJudaism.

ReligionisanimportantreasonfortheseparationofBelgiumandtheNetherlands.TheNetherlandsmainlybelievesinProtestantism.AftertheCatholicregioninthesouthernNetherlandsfoughtforindependencein1830,Belgiumwasformed.BelgiumisalsothecenterofactivityformanyEuropeanmysticalsects.

TheancientcityofBrugesinBelgiumisawell-preservedmedievalcity.Sheattractstouristsfromallovertheworldwithitsexquisitearchitecture,completeancientcitylayout,beautifulscenery,longhistory,art,religion,chocolate,etc.

Customs

Belgiansaresincere,affectionate,andcautious.Theydon’tlikepublicityandrarelyshowupinpublic.Dressneatlyanddecentlyonsocialoccasions.Whenmeetingguestsonsocialoccasions,taketheinitiativetoshakehandsandintroducethemselves.Whenmeetingrelativesandfriends,theyareaccustomedtogivingahugceremony,whichisacloseandfeasibleface-to-facegift.

BelgianmeetingappellationsandgreetingsshouldbeprecededbythesurnamessuchasMr.,Miss,Mrs.andtitles.Butwiththepopularityoffashionandthesimplificationofsociety,itisoftencalledbyname.

It’sbettertomakeanappointmentinadvancewhenyoumeetwitheachotherinBelgium.Itisimpolitetovisitrashly,andyoumayevenberefusedtomeet.Whetherforbusinessorpersonalappointments,youshouldbeontimeforappointments.Belgiansrarelyinviteoutsiderstotheirhomes.

Informalorinformalbanquets,toastsaremeasuredandcourteous.InBelgium,peoplearetabootoinquireaboutpersonalincome,age,religiousbeliefs,emotionsandotherprivacywhenmeetingandtalking.TheBelgian'seatinghabitsaremainlyWesternfood,buttheyalsohaveasoftspotforChinesefood.

Military

NationalDefense

TheBelgianConstitutionstipulatesthatthekingisthenominalsupremecommanderofthearmedforces.Parliamentisresponsibleforapprovingthedefensebudgetandmilitary-relatedlaws.Thegovernmentisresponsibleforformulatingdefensepolicies.TheCabinetDefenseCouncilisthehighestmilitarydecision-makingbodyandtheking'shighestdefenseadvisorybody.UndertheleadershipofthePrimeMinister,theSecretaryofDefenseisresponsibleforimplementingdefensepolicies.Thearmedforcesarecomposedoffourparts:land,sea,air,andmedicalsoldiers.TheGeneralStaffHeadquarterswasabolishedin2002,andtheNationalDefenseStaffHeadquarterswasestablishedundertheMinistryofNationalDefense,whichisthehighestmilitarycommandorganization.

OnJune25,2018localtime,thedefenseministersofFrance,Germany,theUnitedKingdom,Belgium,Denmark,theNetherlands,Estonia,Spain,andPortugalEU9signedthe"EuropeanInterventionInitiative"letterofintentinLuxembourg,promisingtoformoneTheEuropeanJointMilitaryInterventionForce.

Militarysystem

In1995,theconscriptsystemwasabolishedandthevoluntarysystemwasimplemented.Thedomesticserviceperiodis1yearandtheforeignserviceperiodis10months.

In2012,thetotalnumberoftheBelgianarmyhasbeenreducedto34,000(including2,000civilians),andin2007thenumberofthearmyreached42,000.Itwasreducedto29,000in2018.Thedefensebudgetfor2018wasUS$4.202billion,accountingforabout0.93%ofGDP.BelgiumparticipatesinpeacekeepingoperationsinAfghanistanwithintheNATOframework,andhas215troopsstationedinAfghanistan.

Transportation

Railway:Thetotallengthis3592kilometers.In2013,theannualpassengervolumewas232millionpassengersandthefreightvolumewas7.975billiontons/km.

Road:149,000kilometersintotallength,including1,763kilometersofexpressways.

Watertransport:Thetotallengthoftheinlandwaterwayis2043kilometers,andthecargothroughputis108milliontons(2009).Thereare5seaportsand7inlandriverports.In2012,thesea-to-portcargovolumewas485milliontons.

Airtransportation:Theairtransportationnetworkconnects49countriesand74cities.In2013,themonthlypassengerthroughputofthesixmajorairportsinBelgiumtotaled26.66million.

Society

Media

Pressandpublishing:In1998,therewere30dailynewspapers,morethan1,000weeklynewspapers,andmorethan5,000otherperiodicals,mainlyinDutchandFrench.Published,veryfewarepublishedinGerman.Themainnewspapersare:"Standard"(Dutch),"FreeBelgian"(French),"LatestNews"(French),"EveningNews"(French).The"Standard"hasacirculationofmorethan300,000copies,rankingfirst,withtheremaining100,000to300,000copies.TheBelgianNewsAgencywasfoundedin1936.TheNationalBroadcastingBureauwasestablishedin1930.In1960,itwasdividedintotwoindependentradioandtelevisionstations,whichbroadcastradioandtelevisionprogramsinDutchandFrenchrespectively,undertheleadershipoftheregionalgovernment.

Education

Afreecompulsoryeducationsystemfor6-18yearsoldisimplemented.Educationismanagedbytheregionalgovernment.Educationexpendituresaccountfor5.5%oftheGDP.Thereare19universitiesandcollegessuchasLeuvenUniversity,ranked27thinthe101-200segmentofthelatestQSWorldUniversityrankings;foreignstudentsenrolledeachyearaccountforabout12%ofthetotalnumberofcollegestudents.

Famousinstitutionsofhigherlearning:CatholicUniversityofLeuven(Dutch),CatholicUniversityofLeuven(French),FreeUniversityofBrussels,GhentUniversity.

Medical

Belgium'smedicalinsurancesystemisrelativelycomplete,andallmembersofsocietycangethealthprotectiontoacertainextent.TheBelgiangovernmentstipulatesthatallBelgiancitizensandforeignerslivinginBelgiummustparticipateinmedicalinsurance.Belgianmedicalinsurancebelongstothenationalsocialwelfaresystemandisacompulsoryinsurance.

Belgiumhas17,900generalpractitioners,21,500specialists,12,300pharmacists,62,700nurses,andabout74,000hospitalbeds.

Technology

In2013,Belgium'sresearchinvestmentaccountedforonly2%ofGDP,farbelowthegovernment's3%target.TheBelgianEnterpriseConfederationcalledonthegovernmenttocreateagoodinnovationenvironmentforenterprises,suchasreducingtheburdenonenterprises,fosteringventurecapitalinstitutions,andintroducingpreferentialmeasurestoencouragethetransformationofscientificandtechnologicalachievements,soastopromotemoreactiveinnovationandresearchanddevelopmentofenterprises.

Same-sexmarriage

OnJune22,2001,theBelgianCouncilofMinisterspassedadraftlawstatingthatfuturemarriagesinBelgiumdonotnecessarilyhavetobemarriagesofoppositesexes.Amarriagemayalsoconsistoftwomenortwowomen.ThepassageofthisbillmakesBelgiumthesecondcountryaftertheNetherlandstoallowsame-sexmarriage.InApril2006,theBelgianParliamentpassedabillallowingmarriedsame-sexcouplestoadoptchildren.

Diplomacy

ForeignPolicy

PushingforwardanactiveEuropeanpolicy,takingtheEuropeanUnionasanimportantstrategicsupportforitsdiplomacy,advocatingforacceleratingthedeepeningofEuropeanintegration,andsupportingtheEuropeanUnionandNATOexpandsbotheastwardandactivelypromotestheconstructionofEuropeandefense.Pace;supportparticipationinUNpeacekeepingoperationsandhumanitarianassistance;attachimportancetorelationswiththeUnitedStates;advocatestrengtheningexchangeswiththeCISandEasternEuropeancountries;usedevelopmentassistanceandothermeanstorestorethetraditionalinfluenceontheGreatLakesregionofAfrica;attachimportancetodevelopmentanddevelopmentTherelationshipbetweenlargecountriesandemergingeconomiesisactivelypromotingthedemocratizationofdevelopingcountries,whilepayingattentiontomaintainingastablerelationshipwiththem;throughdevelopmentassistanceandothermeans,effortsaremadetorestorethetraditionalinfluenceonAfrica.Payattentiontotheconstructionof"softpower"suchaspublicdiplomacy,andincreaseitsvisibilityandinfluenceontheinternationalstage.Highlighttheimportanceofeconomicdiplomacy,andputforwardtheoveralldirectionof"basedontheEurozone,focusingonAsia,SouthAmerica,andCentralandEasternEurope."

Nowithasdiplomaticrelationswithabout160countriesandhasembassiesandconsulatesinmorethan90countries.

TheBelgiangovernmentemphasizestheunityofEuropeandAmerica,easesrelationsbetweentheEastandtheWest,anddevelopscooperationwiththeThirdWorld.OnOctober25,1971,BelgiumestablisheddiplomaticrelationswiththePeople'sRepublicofChina.

DiplomaticRelations

ForeignRelations

BelgiumpromotesanactiveEuropeanpolicyandadvocatesacceleratingthepaceofEuropeanintegration;supportsparticipationintheUnitedNationsPeacekeepingoperationsandhumanitarianassistance;attachimportancetorelationswiththeUnitedStates;advocatestrengtheningexchangeswiththeCommonwealthofIndependentStatesandEasternEuropeancountries;whileactivelypromotingthedemocratizationofdevelopingcountries,payattentiontomaintainingastablerelationshipwithone’stone;makeeffortsthroughdevelopmentassistanceandothermeansRestorethetraditionalinfluenceonAfrica.Highlighttheimportanceofeconomicdiplomacy,andputforwardtheoveralldirectionof"basedontheeuroarea,dialectsofAsia,SouthAmerica,andCentralandEasternEurope."Asof2014,ithasdiplomaticrelationswith160countriesandhasconsulatesinmorethan90countries.

ExternalViews

Advocatingtheestablishmentofanewmulti-polarworldorderandopposingunilateralism.Itisbelievedthatthemajorforcesintheworld,especiallyEurope,shouldplayanimportantroleandassumemoreresponsibilitiesandobligations.Todealwithterrorism,amorejust,unitedandtolerantworldmustbebuilt.TheUnitedNationsisthemostimportantinstitutionformaintainingworldstability,protectinghumanrights,andpromotingeconomicdevelopment.ItsupportstheUnitedNationsinitsactionsinconflictareasandiswillingtoprovidehumanandfinancialsupportforinternationalpeacekeepingoperations.TheUnitedNationsshouldcarryoutinstitutionalreformstobetterreflecttoday’sworldandrepresenttheinterestsofdifferentregionsinafairandequitablemanner.ItisbelievedthatpromotingsustainabledevelopmentisalsoamajortaskoftheUnitedNations.AdvocatingtoacceleratetheprocessofEuropeanintegration,emphasizingtheimportanceoftheEuropeanCharter,andsupportingtheeastwardexpansionoftheEU.ActivelypromotetheconstructionofEuropeandefense,believethatEuropeandefenseisanecessarysupplementtoNATO,andadvocatetheestablishmentofadefensemilitaryforcecompatiblewithitseconomicstrength.TogetherwithGermany,France,andRwanda,theyproposedtheestablishmentofaEuropean“collectivecompetencecore”,implementedanactionplanledbytheEuropeanUnionwithoutusingNATOresources,establishedaEuropeanrapidresponseforcebasedontheFrench-Germanbrigade,andestablishedastrategicairtransportEuropeCommandandmultinationaloperationscommand,etc.Itadvocatesacompletebanontheproductionanduseofweaponsofmassdestruction,supportsthegradualreductionandfinaldestructionofnuclearweapons,andestablishesareliabledisarmamentverificationmechanism.Itisbelievedthatglobalizationisadouble-edgedswordandshouldbegivenamoralfoundation.Globaltradeshouldbefurtherliberalized.Inordertosolvetheproblemsfacedbyunderdevelopedcountries,itisstillnecessarytoincreasedevelopmentcooperationassistance.ItisbelievedthattheEuropeandebtcrisishashadaseriousimpactontheEUeconomyandwillcontinue.AdvocatingthatEUmemberstatesimplementaunifiedfiscalpolicy,theEUshouldnotonlyfocusontheimplementationofstrictbudgetdiscipline,butalsofocusoneconomicgrowthandjobcreation.SupporttheEuropeanCentralBanktoparticipateintheresponsetotheEuropeandebtcrisis,andadvocatethemergeroftheEuropeanFinancialStabilityFundandtheEuropeanStabilityMechanism.

RelationswithChina

BilateralPoliticalRelations

China-BelgiumonOctober25,1971Japanestablisheddiplomaticrelations.Aftertheestablishmentofdiplomaticrelations,bilateralrelationshavegenerallydevelopedsmoothly.Since2000,thetwocountrieshavehadclosehigh-levelexchanges.

Bilateraleconomicandtraderelationsandeconomicandtechnologicalcooperation

BelgiumisChina’ssixthlargesttradingpartnerintheEU.ChinaisBelgium'ssecondlargesttradingpartneroutsidetheEU.In2012,thetradevolumebetweenChinaandBelgiumwasUS$26.34billion,ayear-on-yeardecreaseof9.5%.Amongthem,China’sexportswereUSD16.38billion,ayear-on-yeardecreaseof13.7%,andimportswereUSD9.96billion,ayear-on-yeardecreaseof1.6%.Imainlyimportdiamonds,mechanicalandelectricalequipment,chemicalproductsfromBelgium,andImainlyexportmechanicalandelectricalproducts,textiles,clothingandjewelry,furniture,etc.toBelgium.

Thetwo-wayinvestmentbetweenthetwocountriescontinuestoexpand.Asoftheendof2012,ithadinvestedin881projectsinChina,withanactualinvestmentofUS$1.29billion.Amongthem,in2012,37investmentprojectsinChinawerecomparedwiththeactualinvestmentof38.21millionU.S.dollars.Asoftheendof2012,Icomparedfinancialandnon-financialdirectinvestmentof140millionU.S.dollars.Amongthem,in2012,China'snon-financialdirectinvestmentwasUS$82.08million.

Thesituationofmutualestablishments

BelgiumhasconsulatesgeneralinShanghai,Guangzhou,andHongKong.ChinadoesnothaveaconsularofficeinBelgium.

Anti-ChinaCongressman

BelgianparliamentmemberKogratiwasbornin1989.HestudiedintheUnitedStatesandobtainedadoctorate.InFebruary2021,KogratiproposedabillrequiringtheBelgiangovernmenttoaccuseChinaof"genocide"againstUighursinXinjiang,inanattempttomakeBelgiumfollowtheUSgovernmentandbecomethefirstEuropeancountrytoaccuseChinaof"genocide".OnMarch22,Chinaannounceditsdecisiontoimposesanctionsonit.

RelationshipwiththeUnitedStates

EstablisheddiplomaticrelationsonFebruary9,1832.BelgiumattachesgreatimportancetomaintaininganddevelopingcooperativerelationswiththeUnitedStatesinthepolitical,economicandmilitaryfields.TheUnitedStatesisBelgium'slargestforeigntradepartneroutsidetheEU.Afterthe"September11"incident,BelgiumstronglycondemnedtheterroristattacksontheUnitedStatesandexpresseditsdesiretomaintaincloseunitywiththeUnitedStatesandtakeallmeanstofightterrorism.ItisbelievedthatNATOisnotonlyacommondefenseorganization,butalsoafundamentalguaranteeforEuropeansecurityandacarrierofcommonvalues.ItisthemainguaranteeformaintainingthealliancebetweenEuropeandtheUnitedStatesandplaysanimportantroleinsafeguardingthecommoninterestsofEuropeandtheUnitedStates.BelgiumwelcomesthemultilateralismpolicyadoptedbytheObamaadministrationintheUnitedStatesandbelievesthatthisisanimportantopportunityforEuropeandtheUnitedStatestoestablishamorebalancedandclosetransatlanticrelationship.

RelationswithRussiaandEasternEuropeancountries

BelgiumpaysattentiontothesituationinRussia,supportsRussia’sdomesticreforms,andadvocatesthatWesterncountrieshelpRussiapoliticallyandeconomically.MaintainRussia’sstability;believethatRussiaisstillamajormilitarypowerandshouldnotbeunderestimated,andatthesametimebecomemorewaryofRussia’sforeignpolicybecominghardened.AdvocatingthedevelopmentofrelationswithCentralandEasternEuropeancountriesandtheCommonwealthofIndependentStatescountries,andthedevelopmentofbilateraleconomicandtraderelationsthrougheconomicassistance.

Relationswithneighboringcountries

BelgiumisoneofthefoundingcountriesoftheEuropeanCommunityandhasclosetieswithneighboringcountries,especiallywiththeNetherlandsandLuxembourg..In1958,thethreecountriessignedthe"BeneluxEconomicUnionTreaty"tojointlynegotiatefiscal,economicandsocialaffairspoliciesandadoptacommonpositionininternationalinstitutionssuchastheEuropeanCommunityandtheWorldHealthOrganization.Thereisalsoadefenseagreementbetweenthethreecountries.InJune1990,BelgiumsignedagreementswiththeNetherlands,Luxembourg,France,andGermanyonthefreecirculationofgoods,capital,andpeople.

RelationswithAfricancountries

BelgiumattachesgreatimportancetothedevelopmentofrelationswithAfricancountries,andhopestodevelopitsuniqueinfluencebyprovidingdevelopmentassistancetoAfrica.BelgiumhasestablishedtheprincipleofgivingprioritytodevelopmentassistancetoAfrica,and65ofitsdevelopmentcooperationassistanceflowstoAfrica.BelgiumattachesgreatimportancetorelationswiththeCongo(DRC)andactivelypromotestheprocessofdemocratizationoftheCongo(DRC).PayingattentiontothesituationinCentralAfricaandachievingstabilityintheGreatLakesregionaretheprioritydirectionsofforeignpolicyinCentralAfrica.BelgiumisextremelyconcernedaboutChina'seconomiccooperationontheAfricancontinent,andpaysparticularattentiontotheeconomiccooperationrelationshipbetweenChinaandtheDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo.

Gourmet

Belgiumisthekingdomofgastronomy.Ithasalong-standingreputationinEuropeandismostfamousforallkindsofseafoodandshellfish.Itsrichmusselsarefatandtastegood.Amongvariouscookingmethods,steamingthemusselswithwhitewinecantasteitsdeliciousoriginalflavorbest.TherearemanykindsofBelgiancuisine,andmorethan40kindsoffishcanbecaughtinFlanders.TheNorthSeaGreyShrimpwithTomatoisadelicacyinFlandersthathasalwaysbeenadmiredbymanyforeigners.Plaice,aflat-shapedfishwithfirmfleshisalsoverypopular.

Themusselscookedinwhitewinearedeliciousandjuicy,theFrenchfriesarefriedtotheright,andtherearemorethan350kindsofbeer,ofwhichlambicandTrappistarethemostfamous.

WhenyoucometoBelgium,youmustalsotastetheFlemish-stylereeds,Brabant-stylepheasant,Ghent'schickensoup,Billy'scheesecrumbsandgrilledlettuce,whicharepopularamongpeople.StewedeelwithChevroletvegetables,rabbitmeatinplumsaucefromtheArdennes,gameandlingonberries.

Thosewholiketoeatdessertscantastemanykindsofcakes,wafflesandchocolates(about400kinds)withuniqueBelgianflavors.Chocolateisrepresentedbyalmondflavor.Manydishesarecookedwithbeer.BeerisabeverageinventedinaBelgianmonastery.Therearemorethan300types,colorful,andappetizing.Belgiansliketoaddapieceofcheesewhentastingbeer(thereare85kindsofBelgiancheese).

Belgiumismostfamousformusselsandfries.Musselsareakindofblack-shelledseashellscalledmussels,musselsorsearainbows.Belgiansusuallycookthemwithcelerywineandservewithdeep-friedFrenchfries.Belgiumhasthelargestvarietyofbeer,andthereareavarietyofdifferentflavorsworthtrying.

Whitewinesoup;musselsareafamousBelgiandelicacy.Afterfryingcelery,spinach,etc.,addmusselsandsteamthemtogether.Itisthemostpopularcookingmethod.Wheneatingit,addingaglassofwinecanarousepeople'sloftyambitions.Therearemanyvariationsinitspatterns,includingtomatosauce,whitesauceandothertypes.ThematchingtalentisgenerallyfreshlyfriedFritz.Youdon'tneedafork,buteatitwithshells.ThisisanauthenticBelgianwayofeating.

Belgianwine,mostBelgiansdrinkbeer,butthereisalsoGenievel,ashochumadebydistillingandfermentingmalt.Inthepast,itwasmadebydistillingGenievelberries.Andmade.It'saBelgiangin.

Tourism

Guide

BelgiumislocatedinWesternEurope.Althoughthelandareaissmall,therearevarioustouristattractionsalloverthecountry.ThecapitalBrusselsnotonlyhastheworld-famousancientbattlefieldofWaterloo;itisalsothehomeofmanyinternationalinstitutions;thenorthernportcityofAntwerpisthehometownofthefamouspainterRubens,andmanyartgalleriesaroundtheworlddisplayhismasterpieces;Brugeshas"Knownasthe"mostbeautifulsceniccityinEurope",itsexquisitearchitectureandcanalsalloverthecityattractmorethan2milliontouristsfromEuropeandallovertheworldeveryyear;thesouthernmountaincityofNamurhasmanyuniquecastles.Belgiumhasa65-kilometercoastline,andwidebeachesarecoveredwithfinesand;thehillsandforestsofthefamousAdenHighlandsarearesortforenjoyingnatureandagoodplaceforskiinginwinter;SpartaisafamousmineralwaterproductionareaandSparesort.BrusselshasthemostbeautifulgrandsquareinEurope.Itissurroundedbyshoppingstreetsandrestaurants.TheoldestshoppingstreetinEurope,GaleriesSt.Hubert,isalsohere.Thereisalsoaworld-famousbronzestatueofthe"peeboy"inthesquare.

BrusselsParkisdirectlyoppositetheCongress.Itwasoriginallytheearl’shuntingground.ItwasconvertedintoaFrench-styleparkinthe18thcentury.ItisnowthefavoriterestingplaceofBrusselscitizens;St.MichelinthecityThechurchandpalacebuildingsarealsomagnificentandmagnificent.ThepalaceislocatedneartheBrusselsParkandhousestheRoyalGuard.Althoughthepalaceisnotlargeinsize,theappearanceofthe14thcenturybuildingisquitesolemnandbeautiful.ItusedtobetheresidenceofthekingsoftheNetherlandsandBelgium,andisnowusedtoreceiveforeignguests.

Therearetwospectacularattractionsinthesuburbs:oneisthe"atomicmodel"inthenorthernsuburbsofthecity,locatedintheCentennialParkoftheFoundingofthePeople’sRepublicofChina,whichenlargesanironmoleculemodelintoa200billiontimeslargerbuilding,Composedofninelargealuminumspheresmadeofironframes,eightofthemaresciencemuseums,andthecentralsphereisanobservationdeckandrestaurant.ThedazzlingatomicmodelinthedarknightlookslikeaUFO,asurrealModernbuilding.

ThesecondistheancientbattlefieldofWaterloointhesouthernsuburbs.InJune1815,Napoleon,whowasall-Europeanatthetime,foughtfiercelywiththealliedforcesledbyBritishGeneralWellington.Afterhisdefeat,NapoleonwasexiledtotheAtlanticOcean.TheislandendedhislifeastheemperorofEurope.Thereareseveralmonumentsandtheremainsoftheheadquartersontheancientbattlefieldforpeopletopaytributeto.The"Lion-likeHill"isapeacefulfieldnearbytoday.Thereusedtobe140,000sergeants.Inthisfiercebattle,thirty-ninethousandsoldiersdiedhere,comeheretoimaginethefiercebattlethatday.

Attractions

Mons/MONS

OnthelandoftheDukeofHainautintheMiddleAges,ThecityhastofacemultiplesiegesandinvasionsfromitscapitalMons...Sothemedievalheritageisveryscarce,onlysomeremainsofthewallsofthe11thand13thcenturies,somesingle-personprisons,tunnelsandsomeruinsoftheearl’scastle.Thetilesareruined.

ThecitywasindeedbombedbyLouisXIV,justlikeBrussels.Itscityhall,theStewardSenate,anda100%Baroquebelltowermakethecityawell-preservedtreasure.However,forthosewhohaveplannedtothrowthegreenavenuesoftheranchtotheengineersofthepublicworks,youwillseethattheyarewellworththeslapintheface.

ThefirstcitizenofBrussels—YuLian

In1619,theBelgiansculptorJeromeDuxinocarefullybuiltthisbronzestatue.YuLian'slivelyposture,lifelikelook,andthestoryofhisheroismandfearofsacrifice,touchedmanypeople.SincetheGovernor-GeneralofBavariagavehimhisfirstgoldsilkdressin1698,guestsfromallovertheworldhaverushedtopresentcostumeswiththeirownnationalcharacteristicstoYuLian.Tothisday,YuLian'sclothinghasbeenestablishedasamuseum.IfyouarevisitingBrusselsinthefall,pleaserememberthatonOctober1stofeachyear,YuLianwillweartheredtrousersandcoatswegavehim,withhisfluffyhair,upturnednose,andasmile.,Mustbefestiveandplayful.

Museums,buildingsandattractions

ThebenefitsoftheGrandPlazaarereflectedinitsarchitecturalstyleandcitygovernmentbuildings.Peoplecanalsoobserveandadmiretheexquisitecolors.Here,sincethecitywasunfortunatelydamagedinthe1970s,peopleimmediatelyrepaintedthefacadesofsomespecialhouseswithbrightcolors.Onthebasisofsomepapersandsomepastsketches,theMontereypeoplerediscoveredthetonesandmortarstheyhadusedbefore.Everycityhasitsowncolor.Attheendoftheeighteenthcentury,whenannexationismprevailedinFrance,severalcitieswereforcedtowhitewashtheundersidesofbuildingsandremovealotofBaroque-styledecorations,otherwisetheywouldbesuspectedofanti-republicanism.

Charleroi

Itisawonderfulblendofbeautyandugliness.Ithasmanybeautifulbuildingsbutallowsthemtobenaturallyweathered.DilapidatedbuildingsmakePeoplehaveforgottenthebeautyofthepast.Atthesametime,boththebrand-newandruinedbeautyofarchitecturalart,thepeopleoftheblackvillagedidnotpaydueattentiontoit.Youcanonlydiscoverityourself(orbecometheownerofthesehouses...andyoucanalsodobusiness).Thisisalsoawayfortheblackvillagerstobehospitable.

PlaceCharlesII/PlaceCharlesII

ThissquareintheuppercityretainsitsoriginallayoutandisTheappearanceisrecreatedasitis.Thisistheremainsofastar-shapedmilitarybuilding.TheoriginallayoutcamefromthehandsofSpanishengineersVanEssandDejeanBronyi.(ThelatterisaBelgianmilitaryengineerwhousedthispatternnotonlyforCharleroibutalsoforOstendOudenaardeandKoss).Later,Ubangalsoadoptedthelaw.

CityHall

TheCharlesIISquareisamasterpiecefromthe1930s,withathicklayerofblackdustfallingonit.Thecitygovernmentbuildingisatrapezoid,noble,elegant,andmeticulouslycrafted.Thesurfaceshapeofthemainbuildingisabstract,condensingalotoflabor.Relativelyspeaking,Charleroiisayoungcityandhasnotexperiencedtheclocktowerera.Therefore,thewisearchitectSzaraddedabelltowerwithacenteroffsettoleaveroomforthemainbuildingtohaveasymmetricalappearance.

NewArtAchievements

Uptown/LavillehauteNawuStreet(MoviePalace)andWaterlooAvenuehavesomeveryInterestingbuilding.Someofthemwerestronglyinfluencedbythequasi-riverizationofVienneseArtNouveau.

The"GoldenPalace"onDefengdanAvenueisworthavisit.RoughengravingsaredottedwitheclecticbuildingswithvaguememoriesofArtNouveau.

MedicalBuilding(RiyonBairusStreet40)isoneofthebeautifulbuildingsinCharleroiofthatera.Itwasbuiltin1908whenBelgianartnouveauactivitieshaddisappeared,sotheappearancewasabettercomplex:plantstyle,whip-shapedcastiron,bas-reliefreminiscentofGothicarchitecture,pillars,windowsandFakesymmetricalfrontface.

AngliStore,38DashanStreet:PaulGusi’sexquisiteandroughcarving,youcanlookatotherhousesonthesamesideatthesametime.

LafflePalace,No.7SulebaiAvenue,twostepsawayfromthePalaceofArts.

DowntownisthecommercialdistrictofCharlevaro,locatednexttothefortificationsofVías(17thcentury).

CharlevaroistheyoungestcityinBelgium.Rwanda,La,NauandLaRueyearenothistoricalcities.TheformerisasuburbofOdney,ithasneitherahotelnoranindependentadministration.Asforthelatter,itisacitycentercreatedaftertheIndustrialRevolution,andithasachievedthestatusofacitybecauseofitspopulationandsize.

AbelIPlaza,thebigpostofficehasthecharacteristicsofabeautifulpuppettheateratthebeginningofthecentury,withblueandwhitestones.InspiredbyGothicandRevivalstyle.

ExchangePassageandUniversityStreet/LePassagedelaBourseetlalueduKollege(late19thcentury)

Thereisnodoubtthatthisisthemostbeautifulgroupofbuildingsinthecity.Houseswithleafpetals,gearsorFrench-styleloftsalternatelyappearonUniversityStreetinacharmingrhythm.Thefrontfaceoftheexchangechannelisneo-classical,luxuriousandmagnificent.

Inthisgroupofbuildings,don’tforgettheChurchofSanAntonio.Thisrectangularcathedrallookscumbersome,buttheneo-classicalarcadeisveryinteresting.

GlassMuseum/MuseeduVelre,10AvenuedeFontaine/BoulevardDefontaine,Charleroiwasoncethecenteroftheworldglassproducts,sothismuseummaybethemostbeautifulthemostinteresting.AlargenumberofArtDecostyleworks,glassstairs,5000yearsofmoltensand......

PhotographyMuseum/MuseedelaPhotographiePaulPastourAvenue,11/AvenuePaulPastur,Mont-sur-Marchienne/Mont-sur-Marchienne,openfromTuesdaytoSundayfrom10amto18am,theonlyplaceinBelgiumexclusivelydedicatedtophotographyexhibitions,showstheentirehistoryofphotographydevelopmentfromtheinventionofphotographytothelatestphotographytechnology,andisfrequentlyexhibited.Preliminaryphotographyattempts,oldphotographyequipment.ThetemporaryexhibitionwaspublishedintheBrusselsnewspaper.

Visa

Belgiumvisaapplicationprocess

Applicationsubmissionlocation:Beijing,Shanghai,andGuangzhouhavethreevisacenters.Differentvisacentershavedifferentjurisdictions.VisacentersAservicefeewillbeaddedtothevisafeerequiredbytheembassy,​​whichisaboutRMB180.

Materialsrequiredforvisaapplication

1.Invitationletter

2.Physicalexamination:aphysicalexaminationcertificateisrequired,andthephysicalexaminationformisobtainedfromthevisaofficeoftheBelgianembassyinChina.ThemedicalexaminationformcanalsobeobtainedfromtheChinaStudyAbroadServiceCenter.

3.Form:Completethevisaforminquadruplicate.

4.Financialguaranteecertificate:ThefinancialguaranteecertificateforoverseasstudentssentbythestateisuniformlyprovidedbytheChinaStudyAbroadServiceCenter.

5.Notarizedmaterials:Oneoriginalnotarizationofbirthcertificate,notarizationofacademicdegreeandnotarizationofnon-criminalcrimethathavebeencertifiedbytheMinistryofForeignAffairsofChina,andonecopyoftheabovenotarizedmaterials.

6.Fourpassportphotos.

7.ToapplyforavisatostudyinBelgium,youneedtogototheembassyforaninterviewonyourown.Beforetheinterview,youneedtoobtainanote,financialguaranteecertificateandothervisaapplicationmaterials.IttakesaboutthreemonthsormoretoapplyforaBelgiumvisa.

8.Onevisainsurance,emergencymedicalinsurancewithaminimumof30,000euros.Note:Allmaterialsmustbesubmittedinoneoriginalandonecopy;allmaterialsmustbesubmittedinpersonbytheapplicant.Applicantspleaseleavetheirbusinesscards.Theconsulateonlyacceptscompletematerials.Pleasedonotcalltoinquirebeforereceivingtheofficialnoticefromtheconsulate.Theconsulatedoesnotprovideanyinformation.

Celebrities

Artists

PeterBrugeltheElder(1525-1569),16thcenturyFlemishpainter,knownasapeasantpainter.

Rubens(1577-1640),painter.ThemostoutstandingrepresentativeofBaroqueartinthe17thcentury.

ReneMagritte(1898-1967),oneofthethreemajorpaintersofmodernBelgianart.Surrealistpainter.

JamesEnso,oneofthethreemajorpaintersofBelgianmodernart.BorninOstend,heisknownasa"maskpainter",butheisarealistpainter.

PaulDelvaux,oneofthethreemajorpaintersofBelgianmodernart.Surrealistpainter.

Hergé(1907-1983),cartoonist.CreatedthecomiccharacterTintin.

Literaryartist

Verhallen(1855-1916),afamouspoet.

Metelink(1862-1949),poet,playwright,winneroftheNobelPrizeinLiteraturein1911,masterpiece"BlueBird".

GeorgeSimenon(1903-1989),borninLiège,wasthemostprolificwriterofthe20thcentury.

Scientist

Vesalius(1514-1564),thefounderofanatomy.

Stevin(1548-1620),mathematician,physicist,engineer.

Helmont(1577-1644),chemistandphysiologist.Arepresentativeofthebuddingperiodofmodernchemistry.

ErnestSolvay(1838-1922),chemistandindustrialist,isfamousforSolvay'ssodaproductionmethodandsponsoringthe"SolvayConference".

Baekeland(1863-1944),chemist.Inventorofphenolicresin.

JulleBoulder(1870-1961),biologist,winneroftheNobelPrizeinPhysiologyorMedicinein1919.

Prigogine(1917-2003),physicalchemist.WinneroftheNobelPrizeinChemistryin1977.

PierreDeligne(1944-),mathematicianandFieldsMedalwinner.

Athlete

JacquesRogge(May2,1942-)FormerPresidentoftheInternationalOlympicCommittee

AnsulShisford(1966－)AfootballplayerwhohasplayedforInterMilan,Bordeauxandothergiants.

EdenHazard(1991-)RealMadridFootballClubfootballplayer.

RomeluLukaku(1993-)InterMilanFootballClubfootballplayer.

VincentKompany(1986-)HeadcoachofAnderlechtFootballClub.

TiboCourtois(1992-)RealMadridFootballClubfootballplayer.

JimClijsters(1983-).Womentennisplayer.

JustinHenin(1982-).Womentennisplayer.

Jean-MichelSeffer(1969-).Maletabletennisplayer.

Actor

AudreyHepburn(1929-1993).Awell-knownstageplayandfilmactress,shewasaspecialenvoyofUNICEFinherlateryears.

WorldHeritage

Asof2008,thereare9WorldHeritageSitesinBelgium,asfollows:

Name

Type

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9