Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming visits to Britain, Germany, Spain and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are designed to increase mutual trust, expand common understanding, promote cooperation and strengthen friendship with the four countries, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in Beijing on Friday.

Hu will visit the four nations from Nov. 8 to 19 at the invitations of Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, German President Horst Koehler, Spanish King Juan Calos I and ROK President Roh Moo-hyun.

China attaches importance to the friendly relations with the four countries. During Hu's current visit, he will meet top leaders of the four countries and discuss development of bilateral ties in a bid to promote all-round exchanges, said Li who briefed reporters on Hu's trip at a press conference in Beijing on Friday.

Referring to Hu's visit to Britain, Li said since China and Britain established the all-round strategic partnership in 2004, the two sides have maintained close contacts between parliaments, political parties and non-governmental organizations. Progress has been made in cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, finance, energy, science and technology, education and culture.

Hu's visit will be conducive to strengthening mutual trust and expanding exchanges and cooperation, Li noted.

On Sino-German relations, Li said China and Germany have witnessed an increasing expansion of political mutual trust and economic cooperation. The cooperation in education, technology, environmental protection and legislation has achieved fruitful results. The two sides keep good communications and coordination on major international and regional issues. Hu's visit to Germany will help promote the Sino-Germany strategic partnership.

On Sino-Spanish ties, Li said the cooperation in many fields benefited the two peoples. Hu's visit to Spain will facilitate the development of bilateral friendly and cooperative relations.

Talking about Sino-ROK cooperation, Li said the all-round cooperation partnership between China and the ROK developed rapidly. The two sides have maintained communication and coordination in the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and in regional cooperation.

Hu's visit to the ROK will further enhance mutual trust and promote the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides, Li noted.

After the visits, President Hu will attend the 13th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting to be held in ROK's Pusan from Nov. 18 to 19.

Li said the APEC is the most influential forum in Asia-Pacific region. Hu will make proposals concerning the prevention and control of infectious diseases and introduce China's economic development over the next few years, Li said.

Li expressed hope that the APEC meeting would make progress in supporting the sound development of multi-lateral trade system and dealing with many worldwide hot issues such as high oil price, bird flu and natural disasters.

"I believe Hu's visit will be a rewarding one, and can contribute to peace and development of China and the world," Li said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2005)