Xi selects Europe for first trip of year

Choosing Europe as the destination of President Xi Jinping's first overseas trip this year fully shows China's support for the continent, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday in Beijing.

Wang made the remark at a news conference on the sidelines of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress when asked how to consolidate political ties and mutual trust between China and Europe.

"Europe is always an important priority on China's diplomatic agenda, and China supports European integration and a united and strong EU," he said, noting that Xi will visit Europe later this month.