European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, heading a delegation of around 50 EU Commission officials, arrived in Beijing Thursday afternoon, starting his three-day official visit to China.

During his visit, Chinese President Hu Jintao will meet with him and Premier Wen Jiabao will hold talks with him. The two sides will discuss China-EU relations, climate change and issues concerning the global financial crisis.

While in Beijing, Barroso will attend the opening ceremony of the Europe-China Clean Energy Center and deliver a speech at the prestigious Tsinghua University.

After leaving Beijing, he will visit Shanghai and attend the opening ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo 2010. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton is also in the delegation.