Chinese President Xi Jinping said hello to China's cutest diplomats on Sunday, pandas Xing Hui and Hao Hao, at Pairi Daiza, a wildlife park near Brussels.

The pair were loaned to Belgium last month, part of a Chinese tradition of using the bears to foster better relations around the world.

Xi and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan spent the day with Belgian royals King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the park, after the Chinese president was welcomed at the royal palace on Sunday morning.

Xi is the first Chinese leader to visit Brussels since the European Union established ties with Beijing four decades ago. Xi will look to send a message to EU officials that China is a less confrontational partner and ready to resolve trade disputes.

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