Across China: Beijing

VP on official Europe trip

Vice-President Xi Jinping yesterday departed for tours to Belgium, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. During his stay in Belgium, Xi will attend a "Europalia-China" art festival. He will also attend China's guest-of-honor events at the 2009 Frankfurt Book Fair when he visits Germany.

Xi is making the visit at the invitations of Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Bulgarian Vice-President Angel Marin, Hungarian President Solyom Laszlo and Romanian President Traian Basescu.