Chinese President Xi Jinping is to visit the European Union headquarters in Brussels on March 31 - the first such visit by a Chinese head of state - EU officials said Wednesday, dpa reported. Xi, who took office in 2012, is to meet EU President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso for discussions that will include a joint working lunch. Xi will also visit several EU countries, Van Rompuy's office said. China is considered a strategic partner by the EU. China and the EU are also negotiating an investment agreement, which European politicians and businesses hope will improve access to the Asian giant's economy. Wen Jiabao was the last Chinese prime minister to visit Brussels, in September 2012. His successor, Li Keqiang, met the EU leaders at a summit in Beijing in November.
