Vice-Premier Li Keqiang's official visit to Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom, which is due to start on Tuesday, marks an important step toward developing closer ties with the European Union (EU) and strengthening pragmatic cooperation.

The weeklong visit is expected to further deepen mutual understanding with the 27-member bloc, expand bilateral economic cooperation and help lay a solid foundation for consolidating and developing an all-round strategic partnership.

The establishment of the market economy in China and the continuing improvement of its domestic investment environment have promoted extensive and fruitful industrial and investment cooperation between China and the EU, which will be a driver for cooperation.