China/EU

France snubbed on Chinese premier's Europe tour

Article published on the 2009-01-27 Latest update 2009-01-27 11:33 TU

Chinese PM Wen Jiabao
( Photo : Reuters )

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has left Beijing for a trip to Europe aimed at mending ties after the row over Tibet last year. Wen is to attend the Economic Forum at Davos in Switzerland followed by stops in Germany, Belgium, Spain and the UK, but will not come to France.

He visit does not include France because Beijing is still angry over President Nicolas Sarkozy's meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in December.

Paris has tried to play down the snub by claiming the Chinese premier's trip does not include all 27 members of the European Union.

The high-profile visit will also focus on attempts to tackle the global economic crisis.