Chinese President Jiang Zemin arrived in Montevideo Tuesday, starting his state visit to Uruguay at the invitation of Uruguayan President Jorge Batlle Ibanez.

At 11:55 local time, Jiang's special plane landed at the airport, where he was accorded a 21-gun, red-carpet ceremony hosted by Batlle.

Jiang's entourage who attended the ceremony included Jiang's wife Wang Yeping, Vice Premier Qian Qichen and his wife Zhou Hanqiong.

In a written speech distributed at the airport, Jiang described Uruguay as a beautiful nation with rich resources. He said that Uruguay has maintained long-term political stability, scored sustained economic growth, steadily improved people's life and played an active role in international affairs, adding that China admired such tremendous achievements made by the Uruguayan people.

China is delighted to see the enhancement of friendly cooperation with Uruguay in political, economic, trade and cultural areas, and the continuous growth of people-to-people understanding 13 years after the two countries established diplomatic ties, he said.

Jiang said that the Chinese government attached importance to its ties with Uruguay and regarded Uruguay as a reliable partner.

Chinese Ambassador to Uruguay Huo Shuzhen and Chinese people residing here also attended the ceremony.

Uruguay is the third-leg of Jiang's six-nation tour of Latin America. He will also visit Brazil, Cuba and Venezuela.

(Xinhua 04/11/2001)