Chinese President Xi Jinping begins key Europe visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping has landed in the Netherlands on his first trip to Europe as leader.

He and his wife Peng Liyuan were welcomed by Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.

His tour will include France, Germany and Belgium as well as the headquarters of the EU in Brussels.

A 200-strong business delegation is accompanying him on a trip expected to be dominated by trade.

On the agenda is a possible order for 150 Airbus jets.

Mr Xi is also likely to face pressure from Western powers to be firmer with Russia over its actions in Ukraine.

China usually supports Russia in foreign policy issues, but last week declined to fully back its ally over Ukraine.

Beijing abstained from a vote at the UN that would have condemned Russia's takeover of Ukraine's Crimea region.

The BBC's John Sudworth in Shanghai says Europe and China have a relationship often marred by friction.

A tit-for-tat trade dispute, with China targeting French wine after the EU imposed tariffs on Chinese solar panels, was only resolved on Friday.

ANN.Az