At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf arrived in Guangzhou Monday, starting his six-day state visit to China.

 

Hu will meet with King Carl XVI and they will exchange views on the bilateral relations and other issues of common concern, according to the information from Chinese Foreign Ministry.

 

During his stay in Guangzhou, King Carl XVI will attend a series of activities commemorating the legendary 18the Century Swedish merchant ship Gotheborg which mysteriously sank off Sweden's coast in 1745 with a cargo of Chinese porcelain, silk and tea.

 

Gothenburg made three voyages from Gothenburg to Guangzhou between 1743 and 1745, pioneering trade between Sweden and China.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2006)