Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Paris Monday to start a three-day state visit, in which he will hold talks with French leaders on bilateral relations and major international issues of common concern.

French President Jacques Chirac personally greeted Hu at the airport.

Upon the arrival at the airport, Hu said in a written speech that through this visit, he hopes to have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and major international issues with Chirac and other French leaders and make extensive contacts with French people from all walks of life, so as to enhance mutual understanding, deepen bilateral friendly cooperation and promote China-France ties to a new high.

Noting the Chinese and French are both great nations, Hu said bilateral friendly contacts can long be traced back. Especially, since 1997 when the two nations forged comprehensive partnership, bilateral ties have entered a track of fast growth and contacts of personnel at all levels have been frequent, he said.

Exchanges and cooperation have been fruitful in the economic, trade, scientific, technological and cultural sectors, he said, adding bilateral coordination and cooperation in international affairs have also been strengthened in a continuous way.

He stated that both China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, take important responsibility in international affairs and have significant impact on the international arena.

When the current international situation is continuing to undertake deep changes, Hu said, it is very important for the two countries to further strengthen and deepen bilateral relations in the fundamental interests of the two peoples, which is also conducive to world peace, stability and prosperity.

Shortly after the arrival, the two presidents met in the Elysee palace. Chirac and his wife, Bernadette, will honor Hu and his wife, Liu Yongqing, with a welcoming banquet in the palace in the evening.

Chinese State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan arrived aboard the same plane.

It is the first visit to west Europe by China's head of state since the country's new leadership took office in early 2003. This tour will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France, and the Chinese Culture Year activities in France, which will serve to further promote China-France ties in an all-round way.

On Tuesday, Hu is expected to address the national assembly of France, in the first such arrangement for a Chinese leader in the French parliament, during which he will expound China's domestic situation, foreign policy, China-France and China-Europe relations.

France is the first leg of Hu's four-nation tour, which will also take him to Egypt, Gabon and Algeria.  
 
(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2004)