HAVANA, Nov. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived here Monday to begin a two-day state visit to Cuba.

    Hu is expected to meet with Fidel Castro, president of the Council of State and other Cuban leaders to exchange views on bilateral relations and major international issues.

    "I believe that the visit will deepen our friendship and cooperation," Hu said in a written speech upon arrival at the airport. "We hope to work with Cuba for a better future of our friendly cooperation."

    Cuba was the first Latin American country that established full diplomatic relations with China in 1960. Hu previously visited Cuba in 1997.

    Two-way trade between China and Cuba has been about 400 million US dollars annually over the past three years. The trade volume reached 401 million US dollars from January to September this year, up 36.7 percent.

    China mainly imports sugar and nickle from Cuba and exports machinery and electronic products to Cuba. Enditem