President Xi Jinping left Beijing on Saturday morning for his first trip to Europe since taking office over a year ago.

Accompanied by his wife, Peng Liyuan, Xi will visit the Netherlands, France, Germany and Belgium, and the headquarters of the European Union from March 22 to April 1.

He is also due to meet US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of a nuclear safety summit in The Hague early next week.

Analysts said Beijing expects to use Xi's current trip to enhance political and economic ties with Europe.

Foreign Ministry officials said earlier that a serial of contracts and agreements will be inked during Xi's visits to the four nations.