Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (4th, L) and Belgian King Albert II (5th, L) attend the opening ceremony of Europalia China art festival in Brussels, capital of Belgium, Oct. 8, 2009. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Europalia art festival opened on Thursday, with China as the only guest country to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

The opening ceremony of Europalia China was held with the presence of Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping at the invitation of Belgian King Albert II.

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The King, the Queen and eight other royal family members attended the ceremony, which was announced open by President of Europalia International Comte Jacob de Hagen.

Before an audience of more than 400, Belgian Foreign Minister Yves Leterme spoke highly of Belgium-China relations and China's increasing importance.

He said that everybody in Belgium could see and feel that China has never before so frequently appeared "in our heart and mind" as today, concerning "our economy, interests and future."

Leterme noted that the four-month Europalia China art festival has also highlighted China's ubiquitousness.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (front, L4) and Belgian King Albert II (front, R4) attend the opening ceremony of Europalia China art festival in Brussels, capital of Belgium, Oct. 8, 2009. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)