Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), arrived in London Sunday at the start of a six-day official goodwill visit to the United Kingdom.
In his arrival statement, Li said that this year marks the 30thanniversary of the establishment of the Chinese-UK diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level.
"Thanks to the concerted efforts by both sides, bilateral relations have in the past three decades continued to move forward after overcoming difficulties," he said.
Li said that his visit is "for the purpose of promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and bringing the China-UK relations to a higher level."
Britain is the final leg of Li's four-nation European tour, which has taken him to Bulgaria, Slovenia and Ukraine.
( May 27, 2002)
