Chinese premier's Germany, Russia, Italy tour to promote deals  

A series of agreements will be signed during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's upcoming visit to Germany, Russia and Italy, Foreign Ministry officials told a press briefing Wednesday.[Special coverage]

Li will visit the three countries and the UN Food and Agricultural Organization(FAO) headquarters in Rome from Oct. 9 to 15. He will attend the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Milan on Oct. 16 and 17.

Li and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will co-chair the third China-Germany governmental consultation. A document on innovation will be issued after the meeting. Over 20 intergovernmental agreements and commercial contracts will be signed during Li's visit. The two countries will discuss visa procedures, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao said.

In Russia, Li will hold talks with his counterpart Dmitry Medvedev, meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and address a forum on innovation, Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping said. The two sides will prepare for joint celebrations of the 70th anniversary of victory of the anti-fascist war, issue a joint communique and sign about 50 agreements.

On Li's visit to Italy, Wang said the two sides will issue a joint declaration and sign about 20 agreements. China and Italy will also promote investment and cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises, said Wang.

On the 10th ASEM summit, Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong said that China hopes Asia and Europe will strengthen strategic mutual trust and reach agreement on climate change, terrorism, infectious diseases and other global issues.

At the summit, Premier Li will expound China's stance on international order, the global economy and Asia-Europe. He will hold bilateral meetings with some leaders, the vice foreign minister said.