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Chinese leaders make shining success of foreign visits
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-23 19:43
Before Hu embarked on his tour, Chinese Premier Wen paid visits to Switzerland, Germany, the EU headquarters, Spain and Britain from January 27 to February 3.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (L) and visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao meet the press in London, Britain, Feb. 2, 2009. [Xinhua] 

During his travels, dubbed a "tour of confidence," Wen particularly voiced China's confidence about the world's future amid the global financial crisis.

He emphasized the importance of "confidence, cooperation and responsibility" in tackling the financial crisis at the World Economic Forum late last month in Davos, a famed ski resort in the Swiss Alps.

During his trip to Britain, the Chinese premier reiterated that confidence is the most valuable commodity, more important than gold or money.

Through his meetings, speeches, symposiums and interviews during his tour, Wen enhanced Europe's trust in China and conveyed China's confidence and strength to the world.

He also gained the trust of the international community by delivering information based on facts and statistics.

His visits not only helped China and Europe reach important consensus on how to cope with the financial crisis and other global issues, but gave new momentum to bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

Chinese Vice President Xi visited Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Malta from February 8 to 22.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R, front) inspects the honor guards at a welcoming ceremony held by Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi (L, front) in Valletta, capital of Malta, Feb. 22, 2009. [Xinhua]

In Mexico, local newspaper El Universal said Xi's stay in the country, though it lasted just 48 hours, inspired great interest in China among Mexican entrepreneurs.

Jamaica's official news agency described China as a valued friend and an important partner. It said the memorandums of understanding on economic, technological and investment cooperation between the enterprises of the two countries offered new opportunities for further bilateral cooperation.

Colombian media also paid close attention to Xi's visit and gave full coverage to his activities, especially his talks with Colombian leaders, the signing of bilateral cooperation pacts during his stay as well as the announcement that Colombia has become a favored destination for Chinese tourists.

During Xi's stay in Venezuela, he and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez attended the signing ceremony for 12 agreements on bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, finance, energy and agriculture.

During his visit to Brazil, both the Chinese vice president and Brazilian leaders vowed to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries and to explore new ways and fields for bilateral cooperation.

During his talks with Xi, acting Maltese President George Hyzler thanked China for its sincere help to his country and also congratulated China on the great achievements of its modernization drive, while noting the considerable progress made in bilateral cooperation.