Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd L) and his wife Liu Yongqing (1st L) are welcomed by Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar (2nd R) and his wife Luisa Duran de la Fuentein in a welcome ceremony Lagos hosts for Hu's visit in Santiago, capital of Chile, on Nov. 18, 2004. (Xinhua photo)

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R Front) inspects the honor guard, accompanied by Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar (L Front), in the welcome ceremony Lagos hosts for Hu's visit in Santiago, capital of Chile, on Nov. 18, 2004. (Xinhua photo)

    SANTIAGO, CHILE, Nov. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived here Thursday to begin a state visit to Chile and to attend the 12th summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

    Hu will meet and exchange views with Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar and parliamentary leaders during his stay in the South American country.

    Hu said in a written speech upon arrival at the airport that he will discuss major international and regional issues with them and "learn from the experiences of Chile's development and success."

    "I believe that the visit will expand our common ground, enhance mutual trust and cooperation," he said. "China-Chile relations will grow to a higher level."

    Chile was the first among South American nations that established full diplomatic relations with China in 1970. The two countries decided to form a "full-range cooperative relations" in 2001.

    Chile was the third largest trading partner of China among South American nations. Two-way trade reached 3.529 billion US dollars in 2003, up 37.6 percent from the previous year. Enditem