Chinese President Honored as Distinguished Guest of Santiago

Chinese President Honored as Distinguished Guest of Santiago

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Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who is on a state visit to Chile, was honored Friday as the distinguished guest of Santiago by the government of the capital city.

Santiago Mayor Joaquin Lavin said at a ceremony for this purpose that it was the first time for the city to receive a head of state from the world's most populous nation. He said the door of Santiago is always open to China.

He then presented Jiang with a diploma of "distinguished guest of Santiago" and a "key of the city".

The Chinese president thanked the local government, saying the honor was not only for himself but also a reflection of the friendly sentiments of the Chilean people, citizens of Santiago in particular, toward the Chinese people.

Lavin also invited Jiang to watch a performance of Cueca dance, the national dance of Chile. Jiang is here for a three-day state visit as the guest of Chilean President Ricardo Lagos.