President Hu Jintao
arrived in London on Tuesday, on a state visit to the UK at the
invitation of Queen Elizabeth II.
He was greeted at Heathrow Airport by Princess Anne on behalf of
the Queen and later attended a welcoming ceremony featuring royal
guards and a salute of 21 cannons.
In a statement, Hu said both China and the UK are countries with
a time-honored history and splendid culture and that there have
been long-standing exchanges between their peoples.
"In recent years,
China-UK relationship has maintained a sound momentum of
growth, and cooperation in various fields has produced fruitful
results. Further developing the China-UK comprehensive strategic
partnership is in the fundamental interests of the two countries
and the two peoples," it said.
Hu said that he was looking forward to an in-depth exchange of
views with British leaders on relations and current major
international and regional issues as well as to extensive contact
with people from all walks of life.
"I hope that this visit will further enhance mutual
understanding and friendship between our two countries and two
peoples, promote bilateral cooperation in all fields and continue
to push forward the China-UK comprehensive strategic relationship,"
he said.
Hu is expected to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair and deliver a
speech on bilateral and international issues on Wednesday.
The UK is the first leg of the president's European and Asian
trip during which he will also visit Germany, Spain and South Korea
and attend the 13th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting to be held in
Busan, South Korea, from November 18 to 19.
(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2005)
