China's Ambassador to Belgium Qu Xing (left) and Lingmei (right), 13, at the embassy in Brussels on Thursday for a reception for adopted Chinese children living in Belgium. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

China's Ambassador to Belgium Qu Xing invited 30 adopted Chinese children to the embassy in Brussels on Thursday, where Belgian parents shared stories about building families across borders and cultures.

Vincent Carbonetti, a parent at the reception, told China Daily: "We are very lucky to have our Chinese daughter and son."

Carbonetti and his wife adopted daughter Lia, 18, from China 15 years ago and son Theo, 15, from an orphanage in Fujian Province soon after. He says the decision to adopt has brought him and his wife life-long happiness.

Theo, who accompanied his parents to the embassy, was the only boy among 100 Chinese orphans adopted by Belgians in 2003, according to Carbonetti.

Now a handsome teenager, Theo excels in archery and has joined the Belgian national team.

"We are very proud of him – he's aiming to stand out at the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024 and will try his best to compete at the next Games in Japan," Carbonetti said.

Theo says he would like to go back and visit the orphanage in Fujian, where he met his Belgian parents for the first time. He says he wants to know more about his birthplace and to learn about China's people and culture.

"My son is eager to know his Chinese roots," said Carbonetti.