Jamaican Prime Minister Percival Patterson arrived in Beijing Sunday for a six-day visit as guest of Premier Wen Jiabao.  

During his three-leg tour from June 19 to 24, Patterson will visit Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Patterson is expected to hold talks with Wen in Beijing. He will also meet with President Hu Jintao and top legislator Wu Bangguo to exchange views on bilateral relations and major international issues.

This is Patterson's second official visit to China as prime minister. His entourage includes senior government officials and Jamaican businessmen. He last visited China in October 1998.

(Xinhua News Agency June 20, 2005)