The Chinese government will send a business delegation to purchase goods from Europe at the end of this month to strengthen bilateral trade ties amid the global economic downturn, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Ministry of Commerce spokesman Yao Jian said that the delegation's trip would take in Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.

Premier Wen Jiabao first announced the plan to send "procurement teams" to buy goods and services from Europe during his visit to the UK early this month.