[China-Belgium] 55 Years of Diplomatic Relations (1971–2026): Beyond Diplomacy, Toward Genuine Cooperation

The future of Europe–China relations should be built on cooperation, mutual respect, and realism, not fear, suspicion, or outdated geopolitical thinking. As we celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations between Belgium and China, I want to reflect on what this partnership means to me, both professionally and personally.

🇨🇳 Learning China through experience, not headlines

Since 2023, I have been learning Chinese, have reached HSK 4, and continue improving my conversational skills. Through regular visits to China, teaching short courses, and conducting research with colleagues at several Chinese universities, I have discovered a country whose dynamism, technological progress, infrastructure, and work ethic deserve serious attention. These exchanges have taught me far more than any geopolitical commentary could.

🎓 Academic cooperation must overcome prejudice

For the first time, three Chinese students are working in my laboratory in Belgium. Their presence has enriched our research environment, but it has also made me more conscious of the difficulties Chinese students can face in Europe. We often assume that Europe offers superior convenience, safety, and quality of life. Yet my experiences in China have repeatedly challenged these assumptions, from public transportation and digital services to everyday efficiency and infrastructure. More troubling is the suspicion sometimes directed toward Chinese researchers and students in Europe, who may be unfairly stereotyped as potential spies, intellectual property thieves, or academic cheaters. Scientific integrity must be assessed through evidence and individual conduct, never nationality.

🌍 Europe needs realism, not nostalgia

EU is suffering from remarkable brain damage, and Belgium must embrace a competitive strategic stance. China's progress in artificial intelligence, batteries, electric vehicles, photovoltaics, and advanced manufacturing is undeniable. Yet parts of Europe remain trapped in a Cold War mentality, approaching China's rise primarily through confrontation, suspicion, and a sense of lost superiority. Europe has benefited enormously from Chinese manufacturing, labor, products, and supply chains. Recognizing this interdependence is not weakness. It is the starting point for a more realistic strategy. We can acknowledge legitimate disagreements with China and at the same time rebuild our manufacturing capabilities and learn from China to adjust our strategy to be ready for the 21st century and the new world.

🤝 Cooperation begins with people.

Diplomatic anniversaries matter, but their real value lies in the relationships we build between them. Learning each other's languages, welcoming students, visiting laboratories, sharing knowledge, and developing joint research are practical ways to replace stereotypes with understanding. Europe must move beyond denial, American hegemony, and confrontation toward acceptance, critical engagement, and strategic cooperation. As we look toward 2050, the question is not whether Europe will have to engage with China. It is whether we will do so with confidence, intelligence, and mutual respect.

When Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially describes China in 2026 as an ‘indispensable partner,’ and studies by the National Bank of Belgium reveal direct and indirect economic dependencies, reaching critical levels in certain strategic supply chains, a fundamental question arises:

Are some of Belgium’s academic elites still trapped in outdated geopolitical thinking, unable to recognize today’s economic realities or anticipate tomorrow’s shifting balance of power?

History offers a warning: Belgium waited until 1971 to recognize the People’s Republic of China, amid Cold War politics and American influence. The question today is whether Belgium has learned from that experience or risks repeating the same strategic hesitation in a rapidly changing world.

🇧🇪 🇨🇳 Happy 55th anniversary of Belgium-China diplomatic relations!

May the next decades bring deeper scientific cooperation, stronger human connections, and a shared commitment to a more peaceful and sustainable future.

📚 Learn more about our research https://www.sbd.uliege.be/

💻 Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.shadyattia.org/#/portal/signup

🅱️ Bilibili b23.tv/bzjL3bn or 🎬 YouTube https://lnkd.in/erHrfkNf

🌐 Explore previous posts and resources https://www.shadyattia.org

🔗 Follow all my professional links, including WeChat 🟩💬 微信 https://lnkd.in/eN3xZhhZ

#ChinaBelgium #55Years #ScientificDiplomacy #AcademicCollaboration #ChinaEuropeRelations #InternationalCooperation #Research #HigherEducation