Senior official Wu Guanzheng arrived in Santiago Thursday, starting a three-day good-will visit to Chile.

In a written statement released at the airport upon his arrival, Wu said the purpose of his visit is to conduct extensive exchanges, enhance friendship, expand common recognition and promote cooperation.

Wu, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said that he is very happy to visit this beautiful country at the invitation of the Chilean government. Chile was the first South American country to have forged diplomatic ties with China, Wu noted.

In the statement, Wu also said that among the Latin American countries Chile was the first to have offered support for China to restore its legitimate seat at the United Nations, the first to have recognized China's status of complete market economy and the first to have signed a free trade agreement with China.

In recent years, bilateral relations between the two countries have developed smoothly with ever-increasing friendly exchanges and ever-expanding cooperation in politics, trade and economy, culture, science and technology, Wu said.

The two countries have also supported each other and closely coordinated each other in international affairs, he said, adding that the Chinese government attaches great importance to developing the comprehensive and cooperative partnership with Chile.

Wu, who flew here after winding up a two-day visit to Colombia, also said he expected to exchange views with Chilean leaders on issues of common concern. He said he is sure that his visit will be success.

Chile is the last stop of Wu's ongoing three-nation Latin American tour.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2007)