On July 3, 2008, Ambassador Song Zhe, Head of the Mission of the People's Republic of China to the European Communities met with Mme. Claire Kirschen General Commissioner of Europalia-China Arts Festival and Mme. Kristine De Mulder, General Manager of Europalia in the Mission.

Ambassador Song appreciated Belgium for inviting China as a guest country of Europalia in 2009 and holding Europalia-China Arts Festival. He said that it is a big event in the developments of Sino-Belgian relationship and Sino-European relationship as well. Chinese side attaches great importance to the Festival. On the occasion, China will present its excellent cultural heritage and contemporary cultural achievements to Belgium ant her neighboring countries as well as the EU institutions. Our Mission will give active support and assistance to the Festival.

Ambassador Song said that art and culture are the windows of people's hearts and bridge between them for understanding, friendship and cooperation. China and the EU both stand for cultural diversity and there are many common languages. We hope to make full use of the Europalia-China Arts Festival to further enhance exchanges and expand consensus so that the festival will contribute to the growth of China-Belgium as well as China-EU relations.

Ambassador Kirschen and Ms. De Mulder gave an introduction to Europalia art festival and the progress of Europalia-China.

Europalia art festival is a large and comprehensive international art festival hosted by Belgium. Since 1969, twenty one festivals have been conducted.