Brussels Airport is fast becoming a vital hub for direct travel between Belgium and China. With an increasing number of direct passenger flights and more coming soon, alongside China’s Visa-free policy for Belgian traveller’s, there’s a valuable opportunity for Belgian and Chinese businesspeople and tourists to strengthen ties and deepen mutual understanding.
At this moment, two major Chinese airlines — Hainan Airlines and Juneyao Airlines — operate direct routes linking Belgium with three of China’s most important cities: Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen.
Hainan operates daily flights to and from Beijing, 4 weekly flights with Shanghai and 3 weekly flights with Shenzhen. Juneyao operates four times weekly to Shanghai. They started with 3 flights, but have recently added an additional flight.
Pictures of the first Juneyao and Hainan Airlines flights from Brussels to Shanghai
New route Brussels–Hong Kong
In August 2025, Cathay Pacific will launch a new route between Brussels and Hong Kong. This route has already been in operation between Brussels and Hong Kong since March 2018, but had been cancelled after the pandemic outbreak. With four weekly direct flights – on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – this new route will push the total number of flights between Belgium and China to over 20 direct flights per week— a record level of connectivity.
Cathay Pacific Airlines flying between Hong Kong and Belgium from August 2025 onwards
This new connection to Hong Kong, a key financial gateway for southern China and especially the Greater Bay Area (including Guangzhou/Canton, Shenzhen, and Macau), opens the door for increased trade, tourism, and cross-border collaboration.
The Hong Kong skyline
Opportunities in tourism and business, in two directions
The enhanced air connectivity offers Belgian companies a unique chance to re-engage or expand their presence in China. With travel options becoming simpler and faster, now is the perfect time to revisit your Asia strategy, reconnect with Chinese partners, or explore new market opportunities. Likewise, Chinese businesses can use Brussels not only as a destination in itself but as a gateway to Europe, with its central location and multilingual talent pool.
The tourism sector, too, will benefit from these multiple connections. More frequent flights mean more Chinese tourists can explore Belgium’s rich history, culture, and culinary offerings — from Bruges to Brussels, from beer to chocolate. In turn, Belgians can more easily discover China’s diverse landscapes and heritage, from the Great Wall and the Forbidden City to modern skylines in Shanghai and tech innovation in Shenzhen.
No visa needed for Belgian travellers to China
This encouraging news comes in addition to China’s visa-free policy for Belgian citizens and numerous other European nationals.
Since March 2024, Belgian citizens no longer need to apply for a visa for short-term visits to China. Ordinary passport holders can enter China without a visa if they come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 30 days. This policy was initially supposed to end by December 2024, but in early May 2024, China decided to extend this visa exemption policy for citizens from 12 countries, including Belgium, until the end of 2025.
We remain committed to fostering mutual growth, investment, and innovation—stay tuned for more updates on upcoming delegations and events!
Learn more:
Please contact the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (BCECC) in case you need more information.