Xi's visit highlights partnership with Belgium, EU

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President Xi Jinping gives his best wishes to the two pandas in Belgium that are expected to bring long-term joy to Europeans.

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, attended a ceremony marking the opening of a panda garden in Pairi Daiza Zoo on Sunday.

Peng gave panda dolls to a dozen of children at the ceremony.

The two pandas, Xing Hui and Hao Hao, are expected to have many fans and friends and help Europeans understand and love China and Chinese culture.

The panda pair arrived in Belgium in February and will stay for 15 years on a lease agreement.

Pandas have long been seen as ambassadors of friendship from China.

Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde accompanied Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, to the panda garden, which is 60 kilometers from Brussels.

"I hope that through my visit China-Belgium relations and China-Europe ties can be further promoted," Xi said during his meeting with the king.

Xi will meet with Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo and parliamentary leaders on Monday. On Tuesday in Ghent, he will visit carmaker Volvo, which was bought by Chinese company Geely in 2010.

Also on Monday, Xi will become the first Chinese president to visit EU headquarters, where he will meet with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Parliament President Martin Schulz.

The bilateral investment treaty, which China and the EU are negotiating, is on the agenda of Xi's European trip.

Questions:

1. Who are the king and queen of Belgium?

2. What gift did Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan give to about a dozen children at the opening of the panda garden at the Pairi Daiza Zoo?

3. On Monday, President Xi will become the first Chinese president to visit what place?

Answers:

1. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.

2. Panda dolls.

3. EU headquarters.

About the broadcaster:

Anne Ruisi is an editor at China Daily online with more than 30 years of experience as a newspaper editor and reporter. She has worked at newspapers in the U.S., including The Birmingham News in Alabama and City Newspaper of Rochester, N.Y.