Every month, Take 5 sees a PRD resident answer five questions on whatever our editors feel like asking.
This month we talk to Salden Joris, Consul General for Belgium stationed in Guangzhou.
How long have you been in China and what have you noticed about our host country in that time?
I arrived in China now slightly more than one and a half years ago and still people regularly ask me how it compares to my previous postings in Europe.
To be honest my standard answer used to be it doesn’t compare at all. Jokingly, you don’t have to fly to Mars to feel on a different planet, just come to China. After spending more than a year in Guangzhou, I must say I've start to revise that judgement. Of course on the surface the differences between a Chinese metropolis and an ancient European capital are obvious.
But after a while one starts to notice the underlying similarities. For example, I’m a historian by trade, so I am very sensitive to the impact of history on the political and social situation in a country. In a city like Rome or Istanbul, history is present everywhere, those cities are built on layers of civilization. At first sight one might think that a city like Guangzhou is only a contemporary structure – especially in Tianhe where the consulate is located.
On a weekend however I discovered Li Wan and realized that behind the modernistic façade is hidden a deep historical core and that knowledge of that history is essential to start understanding contemporary Chinese society.
What certainly has struck me as unexpected is how green the city is and I mean this literally. Abroad, China is unfortunately known for the important pollution problems it is facing. I have the impression the Guangdong province and the city of Guangzhou have reacted to this problem earlier on and the results of its global approach are really starting to show.
Another fascinating aspect is the youth of its population and the interest they show for foreign countries. I regularly give lectures on Belgium and its culture and can’t help noticing that the question time after the presentation is almost longer than the lecture itself.
What are some lessons you hope China will learn from Belgium?
Our two regions have so much in common. On the geographical side, just as Guangdong was for many centuries, and still is today, one of the main entry points into China, Belgium has developed over the centuries, thanks to its location at the very heart of Europe, into the main gateway to the continent.
Just as in the Pearl River Delta, an extended transport system linking the main ports and cities of the country to all major capitals and industrial zones of Europe has further strengthened that geostrategic position.
What can China teach Belgium and the rest of the world?
To my opinion, even more important than the logistic advantages of Belgium is the other aspect we have in common, I am talking about the mentality of its people characterized by an industrious and business minded attitude and a very open approach to the rest of the world. I visited recently the Yunnan Province and was happy to notice how they too realize diversity can be a key element for creating an harmonious society.
Furthermore, one sometimes forgets that Belgium has been for many centuries on the cutting edge of technical innovation. That tradition is still very much alive today. Furthermore Belgium, just as Guangdong Province, had to go through the process of reconverting its manufacturing industry into a modern high tech economy in which service industry and research and development are key elements. I have no doubt there are common lessons learned to be shared on that topic.
The new year has just begun. What do you hope 2018 will bring?
2018 is the EU-China Year of Tourism. In this context I hope more and more Chinese friends will find their way to Belgium. Belgium has indeed numerous advantages for Chinese tourists.
The first one is of course very practical. As I mentioned Belgium is located at the heart of Europe with the new connections opening up between Belgium and the South of China, Hainan in Shenzhen and Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong, it is easier than ever to get there.
Due to its ideal position it is a perfect basis to visit the continent, Brussels being less than two hours by train from Paris, London or Amsterdam. It is also a very well-connected country, by road or by train. In less than an hour from Brussels you can reach all the major cities of the country.
Belgium is also a great place to shop. You can find all the famous European brands of course, and quite often cheaper than in the rest of Europe, but even some more exclusive Belgian designers such as the famous Delvaux bags for example. And if you really are serious about shopping, a stop in Antwerp is a must. Not only because some of the most famous Belgian fashion designers have shops there but also for a visit at the new Antwerp Diamond Museum. And who knows you can might back a nice shining souvenir.
On cultural level the country has also a lot to offer. In fact, there is something to see in every city. The Grand Place of Brussels is one of the most beautiful squares in the world. Brussels also houses some marvelous museums such as the new Magritte museum dedicated to the famous surrealist painter or the comic museum.
If you like comics you have to visit the Hergé museum in Louvain La Neuve. Hergé as you probably know is the creator of Tintin. The medieval city of Bruges is called the Venice of the North because as Venice it has canals instead of roads, so it’s probably one of the most romantic cities in Europe and so a good destination if you want to propose to someone and that’s where the Antwerp diamond comes in handy. Although the country is not very large it has also beautiful natural reserves being the Ardennes in the southern part of the country or the Zwin on the coast for example.
So I hope Chinese tourists will take the time to come and discover Belgium.
Belgium is known for its excellent breweries. Where in the PRD can we find the best, most authentic Belgian beer?
Belgium produces over a thousand different types of Beer, from large multinationals to small traditional breweries, so it would be unfair, not to say impossible, to select just one.
Fortunately I am happy to notice the most famous brands are easily found in China and a lot of bars and restaurants in Guangzhou serve excellent Belgian beers.
[Images via Sardin Joris, World Maritime News, Diva, SnapMyTrip, Brussels Beer Experience]
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