A Bridge of Promise: Their Stories② | I hope the friendship between China and Belgium can continue to grow

The year 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the sister-province relationship between Zhejiang Province and West Flanders, Belgium. Following the release of the documentary A Bridge of Promise by Zhejiang Daily Press Group, Zhejiang International Communication Center, and Belgian Focus & WTV, a series of short videos titled A Bridge of Promise: Their Stories has been launched. These videos showcase the achievements and heartwarming stories of cooperation between the two provinces.

The second episode focuses on youth and families. In 2010, the Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology and West Flanders signed “Zhejiang-West FlandersScience and Education Cooperation Agreement”.

In 2011, the first group of four Belgian students traveled across continents to join an internship at SUPCON Group in Zhejiang,with Mathias being one of them.

During his internship, Mathias met a Chinese girl Jin Weiyun. "He was full of curiosity about Chinese culture, and his dedication moved me," Jin said. "Sincerity helped us overcome cultural differences and brought us together." Now the couple have a daughter named Ino and a son Noah. They now reside in Belgium and return to Hangzhou every year with their children to visit family. "We hope our children grow up nurtured by both cultures," she added.

On October 22 local time, a ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of the sister province relationship between Zhejiang Province and West Flanders was held in Bruges, the capital of West Flanders. HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium attended the event. Ino and Noah had the honor of presenting flowers to the Princess as representatives. Matthias said, "May the friendship between China and Belgium can continue to grow, bringing opportunities and stability to more families."

2025年是浙江省和比利时西弗兰德省结好25周年。浙江日报报业集团、浙江省国际传播中心联合比利时Focus&WTV，推出专题片《风雨架桥人》后，又推出系列短视频《架桥人说》，以亲历者讲述的方式，展现两省合作成果和温暖故事。第二期视频，聚焦青年和家庭。2010年，浙江省科协与比利时西弗兰德省签署了《中国浙江省科协——比利时西弗兰德省科技教育合作协议》。次年，首批4名比利时大学生飞越万里进入中控集团实习，马蒂亚斯是其中之一。

在实习期间，马蒂亚斯结识中国姑娘金伟云。“他对中国文化充满好奇，那份专注让我感动。”金伟云回忆，“真诚让我们跨越文化差异，携手走进婚姻。”婚后，两人育有一女一诺、一子诺瓦，现定居比利时，每年携子女回杭州探亲，“希望孩子们在两种文化滋养下成长”。

当地时间10月22日，浙江省与比利时西弗兰德省结好25周年庆典在西弗兰德省首府布鲁日举行。比利时阿斯特丽德公主出席。一诺、诺瓦作为代表向公主献花。马特亚斯说：“愿中比友谊长存，为更多家庭带来机遇与稳定。”