At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, European Council President Charles Michel will visit China on December 1, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced Monday.

This is the first formal meeting between the Chinese leader and leaders of European Union institutions after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian at a press briefing on Monday.

Attaching great importance to developing China-Europe relations, China looks forward to working with the European side to enhance strategic communication and build consensus, so as to jointly promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-Europe relations, and inject more stability into the complex and unsettled international situation, Zhao said.

During the visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold talks with Michel. The two leaders will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest, Zhao said.

Michel will also meet with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee Chairman Li Zhanshu respectively, Zhao said.

(Cover: European Council President Charles Michel speaks during a mini plenary session at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, November 9, 2022. /CFP)