BRUSSELS, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The CEO of the insurance company AXA Belgium Jef Van In has applauded in an exclusive interview with Xinhua the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chinese bank ICBC in Europe as a mark of new beginning that will lead to win-win cooperation.

"As CEO of AXA Belgium, I clearly welcome the memorandum. Through ICBC Europe, we will be able to increase our presence and stake in China's insurance market," Van In said.

As for the choice of ICBC as a partner, Van In explained that ICBC is the number one bank in China and has a very prominent base in Brussels.

The CEO sees China as a market with great potential.

"I see China's rise as a massive shift from an export-driven economy to a service economy, and to a green economy. As an economist, green economics is business opportunity like any other," said Van In.

He further recalled his recent journey to Shanghai, China's largest city and a global financial hub, to explain why he's confident about China's potential.

"I went to Shanghai with AXA representatives, and it was a great chance to learn about how things work there; for example, on e-commerce. It is very advanced, and what the consumer can do with such services is inspirational. We should learn from that as well," said Van In.

The CEO also talked about the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China, saying that "Having peaceful relations is a key ingredient for successful trade" and "Trade is a very stabilizing factor, and not the other way around".

He believes that the Belt and Road Initiative is a similar analogy.

"As it always is in Business, people see opportunities and seize them. Of course, there is a lot of work that needs to be done. (But) It's a start of new avenues of growth. I am an economist, and wherever there is trade, there is opportunity for mutual relations," said Van IN.