BRUSSELS — Vice-Premier Liu Yandong and Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders have inaugurated a new Chinese cultural center in the Belgian capital on Sept 16.

The pair watched several musical and dance performances at the event, and gave speeches highlighting that 2015 marks 40 years of diplomatic relations between China and Europe.

“This project is the fruit of a collaboration between China and Europe,” Liu said.

“(Belgian cartoon hero) Tintin visited China and learned to get to know it. With this center, we have the opportunity to present the real China to the people of Belgium and build a bridge that will reinforce the friendship between our two countries,” She added.

Reynders said the center will be a facilitator for exchanges between China and Belgium. “The Belgian public is fascinated by China. Let’s work to bring citizens closer together.”

He added that several exhibitions on China had been organized recently on Belgian soil, including avant-garde art show Fervent China, currently on display as part of the 2015 European capital of culture celebrations in the southern Belgian city of Mons.