The government will send an investment and procurement delegation to Europe during the first half of this year, an official with the Ministry of Commerce said. The move follows a similar mission to four European Union nations in February.

"We are actively preparing for a second purchasing and investment delegation to Europe," said Wu Xilin, an official in charge of the ministry's outward investment department. The exact date has not been decided yet, but the team will leave before June, Wu said at a press briefing yesterday.

The government supports overseas investment by Chinese enterprises. "China's outward investment carries a lot of significance amid the financial crisis," Wu said. "It is good for the stability of our foreign trade and industry structure."