Wen set for 'confidence tour'

Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Europe next week will be a "journey of confidence", the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

Wen's 7-day tour, starting on Tuesday, will focus on trade and economic cooperation between China and the European Union (EU) amid the global financial crisis, Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hongbo told a briefing.

"This visit by Premier Wen can be called a journey of confidence, showing China's determination to reform and open up, and to promote economic development," Wu said. He added that the trip will also help develop policies to deal with the global slowdown.