Dr. Jan Hoogmartens, Ambassador of Belgium to China: Chongqing Has Developed Marvelously Well!

比利时驻华大使高洋：重庆的发展令人赞叹

 

比利时驻华大使高洋接受媒体专访。

On February 22 in Chongqing, the sun was shining brightly with gentle breeze. Dr. Jan Hoogmartens and his delegation arrived in Chongqing and stood on the square of the Chongqing Planning Exhibition Gallery, looking into the distance at the overlapping mountains, high-rising buildings, and the convergence of two rivers. As Ambassador Dr. Jan Hoogmartens gazed at the bustle and hustle of the city, he marveled at the magnificent urban landscape and suggested capturing his trip to Chongqing with a camera so as to always remember the stunning view.

25 Years Passed After His Last Visit to Chongqing

This was his trip to Chongqing again after 25 years. He carefully listened to the introductions of the Exhibition Gallery featuring natural landscapes, historical culture, overall planning, “one central urban area and two town clusters”, and urban renewal, among others. Then, he wrote a message: Chongqing has developed marvelously well! Congratulations!

“25 years ago, I paid a visit to Chongqing for tourism. At that time, I was a student at the University of Hong Kong, a good opportunity to explore China’s provinces and cities. Now, the only place I can still recognize is People’s Hotel (Chongqing People’s Auditorium Hotel)”, said Dr. Jan Hoogmartens.

Chongqing and Antwerp

 

高洋大使留言：重庆的发展令人赞叹！祝贺！ 摄影/杨艳

In October 2011, Chongqing and Antwerp signed an agreement for sister relationship. In December 2021, the 10th Anniversary of the Chongqing-Antwerp Sister Relationship was commemorated through a video conference where economic, trade, and cultural exchanges were discussed. The two sides signed the Intention Letter on Further Deepening Cooperation between Chongqing Municipality and Antwerp Province.

The last decade has seen multiple high-level mutual visits, and vibrant economic, trade, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges. The quality resources and platforms have been fully leveraged to promote consultation and cooperation. Antwerp has participated in major international conferences and events such as Smart China Expo and Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade for four consecutive years. Chongqing also sent delegations to Antwerp for international exchange activities including Antwerp Forum, and Industrial Matchmaking.

During his stay in Chongqing, Dr. Jan Hoogmartens attended China (Chongqing)-Belgium Business & Economy Seminar held by Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal Government where he witnessed the signing ceremony between Dadi International Life Science Park of Chongqing Liangjiang New Area and Science Park of University of Antwerp. He also went to Yuzhong District, Chongqing University, Seres Smart Factory, and Porton Pharma Solutions.

“I think Chongqing and Antwerp have something in common. Both cities are important logistics hubs. Besides, Antwerp is a major region for the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, and bioengineering. And we wish to enhance our cooperation with Chongqing in these fields,” said Dr. Jan Hoogmartens.

Potato: A “Golden Bridge” Between Chongqing and Belgium

24 years ago, a little potato helped sow a seed of friendship. Now, the potato has transformed its task from saving lives and a surviving food to a food that brings in prosperity. It has witnessed the profound international friendship between the peoples of China and Belgium.

On February 23, Dr. Jan Hoogmartens, at the China (Chongqing) – Belgium Agricultural Cooperation Exchange Meeting, recalled the courses and results of the potato projects with the guests, and one picture after another refreshed their collective memory.

The cooperation dates back to 1999 between the Wuxi County of Chongqing and Belgium in potato cultivation and quality control. In 2009, with the help of the Center for Agronomy and Agro-Industry of the Province of Hainaut in Belgium (CARAH), Wuxi introduced the warning model for potato late blight, which is still in use today. Chinese and Belgian experts join hands to explore multiple technologies, such as the warning model for potato late blight, high-yield and high-efficiency cultivation, and potato seed breeding, a move that benefits the peoples of China and Belgium.

“The potato builds a ‘golden bridge’ between Belgium and Chongqing. That’s the concrete progress made through our joint efforts as well as the friendship and cooperation between Chongqing and Belgium. It also sets a fine example of talents exchanges,” said Dr. Jan Hoogmartens.

Playing Symphony in Chinese

When the evening lights were lit, the music is melodious in the Chongqing Guotai Art Center, where Peter Ritzen, a Belgian musician, was playing his symphony, Love for China. The inspiration for this symphony is from the Song The Boxwood Shoulder-Pole, a Chongqing folk song. Love for China features the musical elements of Chongqing folk songs, like gongs and drums, and gives insights into a poetic mountain city in the eyes of Peter Ritzen.

 “Peter Ritzen is an outstanding pianist, conductor, and composer. This time I attend his world premiere, and in my opinion, Chongqing will be proud of this premiere,” said Dr. Jan Hoogmartens in the auditorium, panting for more.

“With the reopening of borders, I wish the officials, scholars, and tourists of China and Belgium will have more face-to-face contacts,” said the Ambassador of Belgium in an interview.

Source/Official WeChat Account of Chongqing Foreign Affairs

2月22日，春日重庆阳光正好，时有微风。比利时驻华大使高洋一行抵渝，站在重庆市规划展览馆广场，远眺山峦叠起，高楼林立，两江汇流。眼前的城市一派繁忙景象，兴致高昂的高洋大使提出，以山水之城为背景，用镜头定格他重庆之行的首站。

25年后再次来到重庆

这是高洋大使25年后再次来到重庆，在认真听取了展览馆中自然山水、历史人文、总体规划、一区两群、城市更新等特色展厅内容介绍后，他写下留言；“重庆的发展令人赞叹！祝贺！”

“25年前我来重庆是休闲旅游，那时我还是学生，正在香港大学学习，这给了我一个很好的机会，去探索发现中国的许多城市。现在我唯一能认出来的就是人民宾馆（现重庆大礼堂酒店）。”高洋大使说。

重庆与安特卫普结缘

2011年10月，重庆市与比利时安特卫普省正式签署建立友城关系协议。2021年12月，重庆与安特卫普建立友城关系十周年纪念暨经贸人文合作交流会，通过视频方式在两地同时举行，双方签署《重庆市与安特卫普省进一步深化合作意向书》。

       

过去十余年，两地高层多次互访、经贸及人文交流活跃，充分利用双方优质平台资源共商共促合作。安特卫普连续4年参加智博会、西洽会等在渝举行的重要国际会议活动。重庆多次组团参加安特卫普主办的安特卫普论坛、产业对接等国际交流活动。

此次访渝，高洋大使出席了重庆市政府外办主办的中国（重庆）—比利时经贸产业交流会；见证重庆两江新区大地（国际）生命科学园与安特卫普大学科技园签署合作意向书；访问渝中区和重庆大学；参观赛力斯智慧工厂、博腾制药。

高洋大使说：“我认为重庆和安特卫普之间有相似之处，都是非常重要的物流中心。安特卫普是制药工业、生物技术和生物工程的一个重要地区，我们希望在这方面加强和重庆的合作。”

 

在中国（重庆）—比利时农业合作交流会上，巫溪县向高洋大使赠予产自该县的马铃薯特色产品。   图片/市政府外办提供

土豆在重庆与比利时之间架起一座“金桥”

 

以山水之城为背景，用镜头定格高洋大使重庆之行的首站。   摄影/杨艳 

24年前，一颗小小马铃薯播下友谊的种子。马铃薯完成了从救命薯、温饱薯到致富薯、小康薯的蜕变，见证着中比两国人民间深厚的国际友谊。

2月23日，在中国（重庆）—比利时农业合作交流会上，高洋大使同与会嘉宾一起回顾了马铃薯项目合作历程和成果，一幅幅画面串联起大家的共同记忆。

早在1999年，重庆巫溪县就与比利时在马铃薯栽培技术、质量控制等领域开展合作。2009年，巫溪县从比利时埃诺省农业工程应用中心引进了马铃薯晚疫病预警模型，并沿用至今。两国专家共同探索的马铃薯晚疫病预警、高产高效栽培、优质种薯繁育等系列成熟技术，正造福着两国人民。

高洋大使说，“土豆在比利时和重庆之间架起了一座‘金桥’，这是大家共同努力取得的实实在在的进步。这得益于重庆和比利时之间的友好合作，是重庆和比利时之间优秀人才交流一个很好的例子。”

让交响乐说“中国话”

华灯初上，重庆国泰艺术中心剧场乐声悠扬，比利时音乐家彼德·利兹创作的大型交响乐《爱·中华》精彩上演。其灵感来源于重庆民歌《黄杨扁担》，吸收了川剧锣鼓等巴渝民间音乐元素，讲述作曲家眼中的诗意重庆。

 “彼德·利兹是一位出色的钢琴家、指挥家和作曲家。这次我参加了他的全球首次公演音乐会，我认为重庆也会为这场首次公演的音乐会而感到骄傲。”观众席中的高洋大使意犹未尽。

“我非常希望随着出入境的重新开放，两国的官员、学者，以及游客能够有更多面对面的接触。”高洋大使在接受媒体专访时说。

文图/重庆外事微信公众号