A delegation of leading Chinese private-sector entrepreneurs is expected to express concern towards the European Union's pickup in trade protectionism, in the wake of the ongoing bilateral price negotiation of China's solar panel exports, during a meeting with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels on Monday.

But the business leaders are also expected to express a strong willingness to continue tapping the huge investment potential in Europe, with 10 private investment companies worth a minimum of 100 billion yuan ($16 billion) seeking opportunities in the continent.

The companies are in the city as part of a visit organized by the Beijing-based China Entrepreneur Club, a famed collection of market-advocating private businessmen, to explore more European opportunities.