China and the European Union will hold the first meeting of a high-level mechanism on cultural exchanges and dialogue later this month.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular press briefing in Beijing on Friday.

The meeting will be held during the visit of Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong to Europe. Liu, with EU officials, will co-chair the inaugural ceremony of the mechanism and the first meeting, and attend relevant activities of a high-ranking forum on China-EU cultural exchanges.

Besides the EU headquarters and Belgium, Liu's visit, from April 12 to 21, will also include Britain and Cyprus.

During her stay in Britain, Liu will co-chair with the British side the inaugural ceremony and first meeting of a high-level mechanism on bilateral cultural exchanges. She will also attend relevant activities of China at the London book fair, which is the Guest of Honor country of the fair.

Liu was invited by British Secretary of State for Culture Jeremy Hunt,

Commissioner of the European Commission for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Androulla Vassiliou, the Belgian government and the Cyprian government, Hong said.