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NPC Delegation Arrives in Azerbaijan
Li Peng Arrives in Azerbaijan
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Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, arrived in Baku Wednesday on an official goodwill visit to Azerbaijan after visiting Slovakia.
Upon his arrival at the airport, Li was given a grand welcoming ceremony held by Azerbaijan National Assembly Chairman Murtuz Aleskerov.
Two Azerbaijan youngsters in national costumes presented bouquets to Li Peng and his wife Zhu Lin, who is accompanying Li on the visit. Then, Li and Aleskerov amounted the reviewing stand before the military band played the national anthems of China and Azerbaijan. Afterward, Li, in the company of Aleskerov, reviewed a guard of honor.
In his written speech issued at the airport, Li said the traditional friendship between the Chinese and Azerbaijan peoples has a long history, and as early as more than 2,000 years ago the Silk Road constituted a close link between them.
He said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992, bilateral cooperation in various areas has been conducted step by step, with exchanges between the two countries' parliaments expanding gradually.
Li said that during his current visit, he will meet with the Azerbaijan president, National Assembly chairman and prime minister to have an in-depth exchange of views on a wide range of subjects of common concern.
He said he hopes the visit will help increase Sino-Azerbaijan friendship, enhance mutual understanding and promote cooperation.
Among those present at the airport to greet Li were First Vice- Chairman of the Azerbaijan National Assembly Arif Rahimzade and other high-ranking assembly and government officials.
National flags of China and Azerbaijan were flying along the road from the airport to the hotel where Li Peng is staying. Passers-by stopped to view the motorcade of Li and his party, with some people waving hands to express welcome to the Chinese visitors.
Li is on a six-nation tour which has already taken him to Yugoslavia, Slovenia, Croatia and Slovakia, and will also carry him to Ukraine.
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