Chinese President Jiang Zemin arrived in Chicago on Tuesday morning by special plane, kicking off his four-day working visit to the United States as guest of President George W. Bush.
It is Jiang's second visit to the United States. He first visited the country in October 1997.
Among those greeting Jiang and his wife Wang Yeping at the airport were Mayor of Chicago Rechard Michael Daley and Deputy Governor of the State of Illinois Matthew Bettenhausen.
Jiang's entourage includes Vice-Premier Qian Qichen and his wife.
In a written statement upon his arrival, Jiang said, "During my visit to the United States, I will meet President Bush and have an in-depth exchange of views with him on bilateral relations and other issues of common interest."
"I am convinced that with the joint efforts of both sides, this visit will deepen the mutual understanding and trust, expand the exchanges and cooperation between our two countries, and further enhance the development of the constructive and cooperative relations between China and the United States."
He said he is "very pleased" to come to Chicago to start his US visit. On behalf of the government and people of China, he said he would like to extend to the people of Chicago his cordial greetings and best wishes.
Terming Chicago as an important financial, trade and industrial center of the United States, he said the Chinese government always attaches importance to developing friendly relations and cooperation with Chicago and encourages all regions and departments of China to carry out exchanges and cooperation with the city in all fields.
Recent years have witnessed closer trade and economic exchanges between Chicago and China, which have played their own role in promoting Sino-US relations, Jiang said.
Following his US visit, Jiang will proceed to attend the 10th Informal Leaders' Meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Los Cabos, Mexico from October 26 to 27.
(Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2002)
