Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in the Canadian capital of Ottawa on Thursday for a state visit aimed at promoting the all-round partnership of cooperation between China and Canada.

This is the first visit to Canada by a Chinese head of state in eight years.

In a written statement delivered at the airport on arrival, Hu said he was delighted to be visiting the beautiful and richly endowed country of Canada at the invitation of Governor General Clarkson.

Hu said he is looking forward to having in-depth exchanges with Canadian leaders on ways to deepen their mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas, getting acquainted with citizens from all walks of life, and jointly paving the way to a bright future for China-Canada ties.

Friendly exchanges between the two peoples date back centuries, and since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1970, especially since the launching of the partnership of all-round cooperation in 1997, the two sides have strengthened political trust gradually and achieved gratifying results in their cooperation in the economy, trade, science, technology, culture, education and other areas, he said.

"Deepening and enriching the China-Canada all-round partnership serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples and contributes to prosperity and development in the region and the world at large," Hu said.

Bilateral trade volume reached US$15.5 billion last year, a 55 percent increase over the previous year. In the first half of 2005, trade was valued at US$9 billion.

The two countries have also kept close consultation and cooperation in international affairs.

Hu will also pay a state visit to Mexico.

He will then make his way to New York to attend the United Nations summit scheduled for September 14-16.

(Xinhua News Agency September 9, 2005)