BEIJING - Premier Wen Jiabao said on Thursday that China was willing to send more trade delegations to Europe this year to increase imports from the continent while "unswervingly" continuing its opening up drive that will facilitate foreign investment in the world's largest market.

He made the comments during his meeting with visiting European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

Barroso's trip marks the first visit by a high-profile EU delegation since the election of its new commission members last year at a time when the two sides are set to face a number of differences, from trade balance to China's policies on foreign investment and EU's recognition of China's market economy status.