President Hu Jintao has arrived in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia to begin his first state visit to the country.

Hu Jintao said in a written speech upon arrival at the airport that his current visit aims to "push forward bilateral cooperation as well as the relations of strategic partnership" between China and Brazil.

Hu visited Brazil 10 years ago, but this is his first trip to South America since becoming president of China last year.

During his stay, which will last until Tuesday, Hu will meet with Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva and leaders of the National Congress of Brazil.

The two countries established full diplomatic relations 30 years ago and have been building "relations of strategic partnership" since the 1990s.

Lula visited China earlier this year with a large number of business people. His country is the largest trading partner of China in Latin America, and China is Brazil's third largest trading partner and export market.

Next week Hu will go on to visit Argentina, Chile and Cuba. 

(CRIENGLISH.com November 12, 2004)