The ongoing 2010 Shanghai Expo is an important opportunity for Belgium to introduce itself to the Chinese people, said Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme on Monday.

In an interview with Xinhua before his departure for Shanghai, Leterme pointed out that China is a great nation that opens up to the world, and Belgium is a gateway to Europe and has much to offer to China.

Belgium has made "a big effort to be at the height of the largest World Expo ever held," stressed the prime minister.

According to an opinion poll conducted among Chinese visitors, the Belgian pavilion is one of the four most popular sites at the Shanghai Expo, only after the Chinese, French and Italian pavilions.

"Participation in the Shanghai Expo is important for Belgium. This is the opportunity to introduce ourselves to the tens of millions of Chinese of all generations, and it is clear that China will play a leading role for the decades to come. And for a small country of ten million inhabitants such as Belgium, this is really an opportunity," said Leterme.

The prime minister is traveling to Shanghai to support the Belgian businesses and universities, as well as economic and social actors present at the Expo there.