Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico arrived in Beijing Monday noon, starting his five-day official China visit aimed at boosting cooperation with China in various fields.

It is Fico's first China visit since he assumed the post of prime minister in July 2006.

In an interview with Xinhua prior to his departure, he said he would push forward the friendly and constructive relations between Slovakia and China, as well as the smooth bilateral economic ties.

During the current visit, Fico will meet with top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao on separate occasions.

He will also attend respectively the opening ceremonies of a China-Slovakia economic and trade forum and a Slovakian pictures exhibition.

Apart from Beijing, he will also visit Chongqing Municipality in southwest China.

(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2007)