U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Beijing on Friday evening, kicking off her first visit to China since she took office.

Clinton was greeted by Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi at the airport.

During her stay in China, Clinton is scheduled to meet with Chinese state leaders to exchange views on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"We stand ready to strengthen dialogue with the U.S., enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation and promote greater development of bilateral relations in the new era," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a regular press conference on Feb. 19, ahead of Clinton's visit.

China is the last leg of her four-nation Asian visit which started Feb. 15, following Japan, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Clinton is scheduled to leave China for home Feb. 22.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2009)