Chinese president to make inaugural trip to Brussels

March is turning out to be the month of first presidential visits to Belgium. On the heels of American President Obama’s announcement of his first foray into Brussels, China’s President Xi Jinping has confirmed he will also arrive in March.

According to a Chinese official, Xi’s travel plans have him meeting with three EU leaders in Brussels on 29 March. This will be Xi’s second visit to Brussels since 2009, but his first as president. On the agenda will be discussions focused on an investment pact announced in November, which will bring European and Chinese markets closer together. The leaders will look at ways to reduce potential trade disputes, such as the current disagreement involving the export of French and Spanish wine, and increased investment opportunities.

Although Xi and Obama’s paths will not cross in Brussels, with Obama visiting on the 26, the two leaders will be attending the Nuclear Security Summit on 24 and 25 March in The Hague, Netherlands.