(VOVWorld) - Chinese Premier Web Jiabao is on an European tour to strengthen cooperation in economics and investment with the European Union. During his weeklong visit, Premier Wen will visit Germany, Iceland, Sweden and Poland.

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, left, meets Olafur Grimsson, the president of Iceland, on April 20. (Photo/Xinhua)

It is easy to see that Premier Wen’s week-long visit targets 4 countries which are important to China economically. Germany is the largest economy in Europe, Poland is one China’s largest trading partners in Eastern Europe, while Iceland and Sweden have the largest oil reserves in the region. Prior to the Premier’s departure, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai said that in addition to talks with EU leaders in Warsaw, Wen will attend the Hannover Industrial Fair in Germany to meet with German businesses. He will also explore the possibility of a deal in the oil-rich Arctic region and open up the potential for a shorter cargo shipping route to transport crude oil to Shanghai from Iceland.

The visits to Germany and Iceland went as expected. Addressing the Hannover Industrial Fair, China’s leader reiterated that China is pursuing an unchanged external policy. He said that all participating companies at the Hannover Fair the key or new members of global industry and that China wants to involve all of them in its renewal process. Premier Wen discussed with German leaders the possibility of Volkswagen building a new auto plant in China.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2nd L) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (2nd R) attend the opening ceremony of the Hannover Industrial Fair in Hannover, Germany, April 22, 2012. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

In Iceland, a deal on the oil-rich Artic region and geothermal research was high on Wen’s agenda. China and Iceland have reached 6 co-operative agreements in geothermal science, marine and polar science and geothermal research, and on a solar project in Iceland. In particular, they have also signed a framework agreement on the Arctic region, which is regarded a significant outcome. The retreat of the ice cap has opened up the potential of a shorter shipping route to Asia that would cut the sea voyage between Shanghai and northern Europe by some 6,400 kilometres (4,000 miles).

As part of its ambitions in the polar region, Beijing is seeking permanent observer status on the Arctic Council, an intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation among eight states bordering the region. The forum, including Iceland, Sweden, Canada, the US, Russia, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, is in charge of issues relating to oil and gas exploitation and transportation routes. China regards strengthening ties with Sweden very important as Sweden has voted for China to become a permanent observer.

The last leg of Wen’s Europe tour is Poland, China’s largest trading partner with whom it aims to further increase two-way trade. Premier Wen’s week-long tour of Europe once again demonstrates China’s bid to strengthen its position in the international arena.

Hong Van