Chinese president arrives in Havana for state visit

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-18 10:59

HAVANA -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Havana on Monday for a state visit after concluding his trip to Costa Rica.

China's President Hu Jintao (R) greets a Cuban schoolgirl as Cuba's Vice President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura (L) looks on after Hu's arrival at Havana's Jose Marti airport November 17, 2008. Hu arrived in Cuba on Monday for a two-day visit to promote further economic ties with the island struggling to recover from three hurricanes and the ongoing effects of the global financial crisis. [Agencies]

This is President Hu's second state visit to Cuba since his first one in November 2004.

In Havana, Hu is expected to meet Cuban leaders to discuss expanding friendly and cooperative relations between China and Cuba.

The two countries will sign documents of cooperation in economic and education sectors, according to Chinese diplomats.

China and Cuba set up diplomatic ties in 1960. In recent years, the two countries have maintained frequent high-level visits, deepened mutual trust and expanded trade and economic cooperation.

China is Cuba's major trading partner with two-way trade totaling $2.2 billion in 2007.

President Hu, who is on a five-nation trip, flew into Havana from San Jose after a state visit to Costa Rica.

He will also visit Peru and Greece, and attend the Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in the Peruvian capital of Lima.

Earlier, the Chinese leader attended the G-20 summit on financial crisis in Washington.