This month marks the 400th anniversary of the birth of the Flemish priest, Father Ferdinand Verbiest. During the 17th century the priest travelled to China and with the astronomical instruments he had brought with him helped to expand the work of the Beijing Observatory. The West Fleming even became an advisor to the Chinese emperor. The Province of West Flanders has seized the anniversary to send a scientific delegation to China, headed by provincial governor Carl Decaluwé, to explore avenues of cooperation between Flanders and China. VRT’s Tom Van de Weghe joined the delegation and was able to file this report.