Rare visitors from Europe

New chapters are about to be written in China's relationships with France and with the European Union.

Leaders from France and the EU are expected on separate official visits this week and are preludes to a series of high-profile meetings related to Shanghai Expo 2010.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy's three-day visit shows how each side has let bygones be bygones. It could be seen as a formal announcement to the world that the China-France relationship is now back to normal. Sarkozy's trip to Beijing will also expand cooperation and broaden their relationship.