Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, October 17, 2003
President Hu Jintao kicks off Asia-Pacific tour
President Hu Jintao left Beijing at noon Friday for state visits to Thailand, Australia and New Zealand at the invitation of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery and New Zealand Governor-General Silvia Cartwright.
Chinese President Hu Jintao departed from Beijing for Bangkok, kicking off his three Asia-Pacific nations tour, which will take him to Thailand, Australia and New Zealand.
While in Bangkok, Hu Jintao will also attend the 11th informal summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. He is expected to deliver an important speech including an evaluation on international and regional situations. He is also expected to discuss China's stance on strengthening anti-terrorism cooperation as well as forwarding the healthy growth of the multilateral trade system.
During his state visits to the three countries, Hu Jintao will exchange views with the three nations' leaders on bilateral ties and issues of common concern in order to further push friendly relations to a new high.
Hu's entourage includes his wife Liu Yongqing, Member of the Secretariat and Director of the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Wang Gang, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister in charge of the State Development and Reform Commission Ma Kai, Director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee Wang Huning, and some other senior officials.