Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot will visit China from April 27 to May 1 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the foreign ministry said on Monday.

Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

The visit will be Prevot's first trip to China since taking office. China and Belgium are comprehensive partners in friendship and cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian said at a routine press briefing in Beijing.

The two countries have maintained close high-level exchanges, while cooperation in trade and investment, shipping and logistics, and biomedicine has advanced steadily, delivering tangible benefits to both peoples, Lin said.

"China expects the visit to provide an opportunity for in-depth exchanges on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of mutual concern, expand consensus and deepen cooperation," he said. "The visit is also expected to promote the sound development of China-Belgium relations and contribute to China-Europe relations."