Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's upcoming visit to the United States is significant because it is his first official visit to a foreign country as China's premier and his first official visit to the United States.

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao made the remarks in Beijing on Dec.4 at a regular press conference.

    He said the mainstream of China-US relations is sound, and the two countries have cooperated well on economy and trade and anti-terrorism issues this year, and the recent trade friction will not overshadow the achievements on trade cooperation between China and the United States.

    He said Wen's visit coincides with the appearance of some problems in China-US relations, and he believed that the visit would help promote mutual understanding and push forward the settlement of some relevant issues.

    Liu said during Wen's stay in the United States, he will visit New York, Washington and Boston. Wen will meet with the US president George W. Bush and some parliamentary and government senior officials. He will deliver a speech at Harvard University.

    According to Liu, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister in charge of State Development and Reform Commission Ma Kai and Vice Commerce Minister Ma Xiuhong are among the entourage.

    Premier Wen will pay an official visit to the United States, Canada, Mexico and Ethiopia from Dec. 7 to 16. He will also attend the opening ceremony of the Second Ministerial Conference of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in Ethiopia.