Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Sydney Wednesday morning for a three-day state visit to Australia to promote economic and trade cooperation between China and Australia.

In a written statement issued upon his arrival at the airport, Hu said that China and Australia are both located in the Asia-Pacific region and that exchanges and friendship between the two peoples can trace back to ancient times.

"In recent years, bilateral relations have maintained a good momentum of development with ever expanding cooperation in all fields and increasingly frequent personnel exchanges," he said.

He said that a long-term and stable relationship of all-round cooperation between China and Australia conforms to the common aspirations and interests of the two peoples.

Hu said that his current visit is aimed to "enhance friendship, expand common ground, deepen cooperation and facilitate common prosperity."

"I look forward to an in-depth exchange of views with Australian leaders on the ways to further promote China-Australian relations of all-round cooperation and on regional and international issues of common interest," Hu said.

The Chinese president said that he will also meet with Australian friends from all walks of life to know more about the achievements and success experiences of the country.

The Chinese president was met by Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery, Prime Minister John Winston Howard, Chinese Ambassador Wu Tao and other officials.

Hu flew in from Bangkok, where he paid a state visit and attended the informal Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Hu will visit New Zealand to continue his Asia-Pacific tour after his trip to Australia.

(Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2003)