BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping is to pay an official visit to Belgium, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungaryand Romania from Oct. 7 to 21.

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu announced this here on Thursday.

    Xi is making the visit at the invitations of Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, leaders of Germany, Bulgarian Vice President Angel Marin, Hungarian President Solyom Laszlo and Romanian President Traian Basescu.

    Xi will attend an "Europalia-China" art festival during his stay in Belgium as guest of King of Belgium Albert II, and China's guest of honor events at 2009 Frankfurt Book Fair during his stay in Germany.