Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi arrived in Beijing Saturday, starting his six-day state visit to China.

During his stay in Beijing, Ciampi is scheduled to hold talks or meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao. Besides Beijing, Ciampi will also visit China's financial hub Shanghai.

The visit is expected to help further strengthen relations between Italy and China, said Ciampi in Rome in an interview before his departure.

Italy is Europe's third largest exporter to China. About 500 Italian businesses have invested in this country.

(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2004)