EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy arrived in Beijing Sunday evening, beginning his two-day visit to China. 

A press official of the EU Delegation of the European Commission said Lamy's visit aims to "strengthen trade relations and cooperation in the WTO."

Prior to the visit Lamy said, "China is now the EU's second largest trading partner and it is more and more important that we maintain regular contacts in order to strengthen our dialogue and cooperation both in the context of the Doha Development Agenda as well as on bilateral trade issues."

He said he is confident that his visit will help reinforce the already "extremely healthy trade and investment relationship."

Lamy is also scheduled to visit Shanghai, China's economic hub, and deliver a speech at the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2004)