Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Wednesday departed for tours to five European nations.

The fortnight visit will take Xi to Belgium, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania.

During his stay in Belgium, Xi will attend an "Europalia-China" art festival. He will also be present at China's guest of honor events at 2009 Frankfurt Book Fair when he visits Germany.

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