China’s president begins European tour

(Vatican Radio) China's president is heading to Europe for an extended visit, his first as China's leader.

President Xi Jinping was expected in the Netherlands for a nuclear security summit, and was to hold talks on the sidelines with five foreign leaders, China's foreign ministry said.

Speaking ahead of the visit the president said he looked forward to talking to the American president, Barack Obama. There has been moderate tension between Beijing and Washington over what both sides see as unwarranted interference by the other in East and Southeast Asia. However, in the past two weeks, the U.S. and China have both contributed heavily to the ongoing hunt for a missing Malaysia Airlines jet, both nations providing aircraft, ships and analysis.

Meanwhile, the Chinese president was to spend a week in Europe, and to make state visits to Belgium, France and Germany.

He was expected to come under pressure from his European hosts over what they perceive as China's soft line towards Russia after it annexed part of Ukraine. In a United Nations Security Council vote that aimed to condemn Russia, China abstained.

Listen to Alastair Wanklyn’s report: