On July 9, 2025, former Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme paid a special visit to the Cemetery of Matteo Ricci and Foreign Missionaries at Beijing Administration Institute (BAI).

Leterme focused on learning about the life stories of Belgian Jesuit missionaries Ferdinand Verbiest and Antoine Thomas, as well as their remarkable contributions to Sino-Western cultural exchanges. As important historical relics, their tombstones embody profound cultural connotations and distinct era marks, serving as tangible witnesses to the mutual learning of Chinese and Western civilizations.

This visit has built a vital platform for deepening cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, playing a positive role in promoting dialogue among different civilizations and enhancing international understanding and mutual trust.

Written by Zhang Xi