Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will pay an official visit to theUnited States,Canada,MexicoandEthiopiafrom Dec. 7 to 16.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao made the announcement inBeijingSunday.

Wen is to pay the visit at the invitation ofUSPresident George W. Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, the Mexican government and Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the spokesman said.

Wen will also attend the opening ceremony of the Second Ministerial Conference of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, due to be held inEthiopia, Liu said.

(Xinhua News AgencyNovember 24, 2003)