Premier Zhu Rongji Leaves for Europe Trip

Premier Zhu Rongji Leaves for Europe Trip

Premier Zhu Rongji left the Chinese capital Tuesday morning, kicking off his official visit to six European countries and the headquarters of the European Union (EU).

The Premier is paying the visit at the invitation of Chairman Ivan Kostov of Bulgarian Council of Ministers, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, the Netherlands Prime Minister Wim Kok, Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato, Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt and European Commission President Romano Prodi.

During the visit, Premier Zhu is expected to have wide contact with leaders of these countries and EU, as well as people from all walks of life and to exchange views on bilateral ties, international situation and issues of common concern. The visit is aiming at furthering the friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the six countries and EU.

Among those seeing Premier Zhu off at the Great Hall of the People were Vice Premier Qian Qichen, State Councilor Wang Zhongyu and leaders of relevant Party and government departments.

Zhu's entourage includes his wife Lao An, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, Governor of the People's Bank of China Dai Xianglong, Director of the Economic Restructuring Office of the State Council Liu Zhongli, Vice Minister in charge of State Development and Planning Commission Wang Chunzheng, Vice Minister in charge of State Economic and Trade Commission Shi Wanpeng, Deputy Secretary- General of the State Council Shi Xiushi, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Zhang Xiang, Deputy Director of the Research Office of the State Council Wei Liqun, Chairman of China Insurance Regulatory Commission Ma Yongwei, Director of the Premier's Office Li Wei and Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Canrong.