Making his first visit to Europe since becoming premier last year, Wen Jiabao arrived in southern Germany yesterday on the first leg of an 11-day tour.
Mr Wen's trip will also take him to Belgium, where he will meet European Union leaders, and then to Italy, England and Ireland.
After his arrival yesterday, the premier was taken to a Bavarian farm in the hamlet of Eggertshofen before visiting an Audi factory.
Mr Wen - who is an expert on the mainland's agriculture sector - expressed a strong interest in the cattle farm.
Mr Wen and his entourage will travel to Berlin today, where he will meet German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder tonight. He is being accompanied by Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing , Commerce Minister Bo Xilai and State Development and Reform Commission Minister Ma Kai .
The premier's visit is being closely watched by analysts and economists because it comes as the central government is trying to rein in a sizzling economy.