A CHINESE delegation of nearly 300 executives from about 170 companies will depart Beijing on Saturday for Europe on a two-week mission to promote trade cooperation.

It will be headed by Assistant Minister of Commerce Qiu Hong, said Yao Jian, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, yesterday at a press briefing.

Formed by China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, the delegation plans to visit Serbia, France, the Netherlands and Ireland, Yao said.

Commerce Minister Chen Deming will visit France on November 26 to meet his French counterpart, Christine Lagarde, and attend the delegation's activities in France.