Jiang Arrives in Lisbon for State Visit to Portugal 　　Chinese President Jiang Zemin arrived in Lisbon on October 26 morning for a state visit to Portugal at the invitation of Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio. 　　This is Jiang's first state visit to the country. In 1993, Jiang stopped over and visited the country on his way back from a foreign visit. 　　Shortly after Jiang's arrival, Sampaio held a full-scale welcoming ceremony for the Chinese president, which included a review of the guards of honor and a 21-gun solute. 　　Later, Jiang was also welcomed by the mayor of Lisbon, who gave him a golden key, symbolic of the city's warm feelings towards the Chinese leader. 　　Sampaio and his wife Maria Rita greeted Jiang and his wife Wang Yeping at the airport as well as Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Wang Qiliang and staffs from the Chinese embassy here. 　　Jiang said in his written statement delivered at the airport that China has attached great importance to its relationship with Portugal, which has enjoyed smooth development in recent years in the political, economic, cultural and technological sectors. 　　Mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries have kept deepening, Jiang said. "The two governments have also maintained good cooperation on the issue of Macao's return to China." 　　The Chinese president noted that China and Portugal have common interest in promoting the sacred cause of peace and development of the world. China is willing to, together with the Portuguese government and people, make continued efforts to further consolidate the long-term and stable bilateral relationship of friendly cooperation oriented toward the 21st century. 　　Jiang said that he is looking forward to exchanging views with Portuguese leaders on developing bilateral relationship and issues of common concern and having wide contacts with people from all sectors. 　　The Chinese president believes that his current visit will further deepen mutual understanding, promote friendship, expand range of common understanding and boost cooperation. 　　Jiang's entourage arriving on the same special plane include Vice Premier Qian Qichen and his wife, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, Minister in charge of the State Development Planning Commission Zeng Peiyan, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Liao Hui, Special Assistant Hua Jianmin, Deputy Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee You Xigui and Deputy Director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee Wang Huning. 　　This is the third leg of Jiang's six-nation trip in Europe, Africa and Asia. He has already paid state visits to Britain and France. (Xinhua) WorldNews 1999-10-27 Page1 Full Story in Chinese