Chinese President Hu Jintao
arrived in the Canadian capital of Ottawa on Thursday for a state
visit aimed at promoting the all-round partnership of cooperation
between China and Canada.
This is the first visit to Canada by a Chinese head of state in
eight years.
In a written statement delivered at the airport on arrival, Hu
said he was delighted to be visiting the beautiful and richly
endowed country of Canada at the invitation of Governor General
Clarkson.
Hu said he is looking forward to having in-depth exchanges with
Canadian leaders on ways to deepen their mutually beneficial
cooperation in all areas, getting acquainted with citizens from all
walks of life, and jointly paving the way to a bright future for
China-Canada ties.
Friendly exchanges between the two peoples date back centuries,
and since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two
countries in 1970, especially since the launching of the
partnership of all-round cooperation in 1997, the two sides have
strengthened political trust gradually and achieved gratifying
results in their cooperation in the economy, trade, science,
technology, culture, education and other areas, he said.
"Deepening and enriching the China-Canada all-round partnership
serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and two
peoples and contributes to prosperity and development in the region
and the world at large," Hu said.
Bilateral trade volume reached US$15.5 billion last year, a 55
percent increase over the previous year. In the first half of 2005,
trade was valued at US$9 billion.
The two countries have also kept close consultation and
cooperation in international affairs.
Hu will also pay a state visit to Mexico.
He will then make his way to New York to attend the United
Nations summit scheduled for September 14-16.
(Xinhua News Agency September 9, 2005)