Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan will attend the second Sino-European Union (EU) high-level trade and economic dialogue in Brussels on May 7 and 8 and pay an official visit to Britain from May 8 to 12.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu made the announcement at a regular press conference Thursday.

Wang would co-chair the dialogue with Catherine Ashton, EU Trade Commissioner and personal representative of the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Jiang said.

They would discuss economic and trade cooperation, focusing on promoting business opportunities and economic stimulation by opening trade and investment, she said.

"We hope the dialogue will send a signal to the world that China and the EU will work together to continue opening up and build confidence in advancing the healthy growth of economic ties and all-round strategic partnership," Jiang said.

During Wang's visit to Britain as guest of British Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, Wang and Darling will co-chair the second of Sino-British financial and economic dialogue, said Jiang.

The two sides would focus on increasing cooperation and supporting sustainable growth, discuss issues concerning economic growth, social welfare, financial stability, capital market, energy and environmental cooperation, trade and investment.

"We will work with Britain to promote the dialogue to achieve mutually beneficial results," Jiang said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2009)