Wen to attend China-EU summit

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the 15th China-EU Summit in Brussels and pay an official visit to Belgium next Wednesday and Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei announced on Friday.

During the visit, Wen will meet with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, said Hong at a daily press conference.

Both sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on lifting the level of China-EU practical cooperation and deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership, according to the spokesman.

"Against the backdrop of the international financial crisis and the European debt crisis, the summit is not only of great significance to the development of the China-EU relations, but also sending a positive signal to promote robust, sustainable and balanced growth of the world economy," he said.

Wen's visit comes at the invitation of Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo.

During his stay in Belgium, Wen is scheduled to meet with Belgian leaders on bilateral ties, China-EU relations as well as other global and regional issues of common concern, said the spokesman.

"The visit will further boost China-Belgium mutual political trust and deepen cooperation," Hong added.