BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Mauritius' Prime Minister Paul Raymond Berenger arrived here Sunday, kicking off his seven-day visit to China.

    From Jan. 23 to 29, Berenger will visit Sanya, a coastal city in southeastern Hainan Province, and Shanghai. And this is Berenger's first visit in China since he took office.

    Altogether nine officials accompany his visit, including Minister of labor, industrial relations, employment, women right, children development and family welfare.

    With a population of 1.2 million, Mauritius lies in the southwestern part of Indian ocean, occupying a island area of 2,040 square kilometer.

    China forged the diplomatic ties with Mauritius in 1972 and thetrade volume between the two countries in 2004 is 138.28 million US dollars.