Premier Li Keqiang visited the Interuniversity MicroElectronics Center (IMEC) with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Consumer Affairs, Kris Peeters on Oct 18.

The IMEC is a research and development center that offers microelectronics and nano-technology research solutions. It was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium.

The head of the IMEC said they looked forward to further expanding their partnership with China in fields like new energy and the Internet of Things, adding that China’s innovation development would benefit both sides.

According to the head, the IMEC is having more and more cooperation, joint research and personnel training with Chinese companies, universities and institutes in recent years.

Premier Li encouraged both sides to seize the opportunities generated by the new technological revolution and realize a higher-level of win-win cooperation.

He pointed out that the two countries have their own strengths in technology research and development, saying that key to transferring an advanced technology from lab to market is to realize industrialization, which requires a massive market, and China is one.

The Premier also saw a photo exhibition which showed technology cooperation between the two countries. He said that China welcomes tech and science capabilities from all countries to participate in China’s innovation development, noting that “small and medium-sized enterprises can also play big roles.”

Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Brussels, Belgium on Oct 16 for a working visit to Belgium and the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit. On Oct 17, he and his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel presented a joint news conference.