Statement

The China Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg (hereinafter referred to as “CCCBL”) has noted that, in its recently released Annual Report, the Belgian State Security (VSSE) has made numerous statements accusing Chinese enterprises of so-called “economic espionage” and “technology acquisition.” 

CCCBL strongly opposes such unfounded smearing and accusations, which are entirely unsupported by facts.

I. Firm Opposition to the Over-Securitization of Normal Economic and Scientific Activities

Chinese enterprises conduct business activities in Belgium and across the European Union under intensive and comprehensive regulatory frameworks, including the EU FDI Screening Regulation, the Dual-Use Export Control Regulation and GDPR, among many others. Their business operations are transparent and subject to strict legal supervision.

The Report over-securitizes normal investment, cooperation, and mergers and acquisitions by Chinese enterprises, portraying them as “economic espionage” or “illegal technology transfer,” despite the absence of any specific cases, judicial rulings, or verifiable factual evidence. Such conclusions are highly unprofessional and lack credibility.

II. The Report Lacks Objectivity and a Contemporary Understanding of China’s Technological Development

The Report’s references to China “bridging technological gaps” and “copying or imitating Western technologies” are marked by arrogance and bias.

According to data from the WIPO, China has entered the top ten of the Global Innovation Index 2025 and ranks among global leaders in R&D investment, patent applications, scientific research output, and the commercialization of technological achievements.

In the absence of factual support, the Report reduces a complex, mutually beneficial global innovation ecosystem to a narrative of “one-way technology acquisition.” This not only reflects a lack of basic understanding of China’s technological development, but also seriously undermines mutually beneficial scientific research and industrial cooperation between Chinese and Belgian enterprises.

III. The Use of a Selective Security Narrative on Data and Digital Technologies Is Unacceptable

Chinese enterprises operating in Belgium do so in full compliance with EU and Belgian laws and regulations, including strict adherence to the GDPR.

When addressing digital platforms and data-related issues, the Report baselessly accuses Chinese enterprises of conducting large-scale data collection in Belgium, once again raising broad and generalized security concerns against Chinese companies.

Such an approach replaces technical analysis and compliance-based assessment with assumptions rooted in national origin, violating the principles of technological neutrality and non-discrimination, and ultimately undermining the credibility of regulatory oversight itself.

IV. The Definition of Brussels’ International Exchange Environment Should Remain Restrained and Professional

As an international and European affairs center, Brussels naturally brings together government institutions, enterprises, chambers of commerce, think tanks, and social organizations from around the world. In this context, policy communication, industry exchanges, and the expression of positions are normal practices within the international system.

In the absence of any factual basis, the Report systematically characterizes lawful and transparent exchanges as “interference” or “covert influence,” which seriously damages Brussels’ image as an open and multilateral platform and significantly undermines the confidence of Chinese enterprises in investing in Belgium.

The Report claims that Chinese enterprises have long spared no effort to enter the Belgian market. In reality, the number of Chinese enterprises operating in Belgium is far below that in neighboring countries, amounting to less than half of those operating in surrounding markets.

In particular, since the pandemic, while many Chinese enterprises have explored business opportunities across Europe, only a very limited number have ultimately chosen Belgium as an investment destination.

Chinese enterprises operating in Belgium have consistently conducted business in compliance with laws and regulations, actively fulfilled their social responsibilities, and served local economic and social development.

While CCCBL respects the mandate and authority of Belgian security authorities, any security assessment must be grounded in factual evidence and proper standards of proof, and must not impose broad, speculative, or negative characterizations on lawful commercial activities.

CCCBL urges the Belgian security authorities, in their future analyses and statements, to: adhere to professional assessments based on facts and evidence; clearly distinguish lawful commercial activities from genuinely illegal conduct; avoid generalizing normal international cooperation as a security issue.

Chinese enterprises will continue to operate in Belgium in a law-abiding, transparent, and responsible manner, and look forward to engaging in constructive cooperation with local partners in a stable, predictable, and non-discriminatory environment.

China Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg

January 21, 2026