China's Xi says wants closer EU ties in meeting with Belgium PM

China is willing to strengthen relations with Europe, President Xi Jinping said on Friday, at a meeting with Belgian PM Alexander De Croo in Beijing. De Croo arrived in China on Thursday, attending the inauguration of the new Belgian embassy in Beijing and meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the same day. "China is willing to work with the EU to promote steady progress in China-EU relations in the new year," Xi told De Croo when two men met on Friday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, according to a readout by state broadcaster CCTV.