At the invitation of Brazilian President Louis Inacio Lula da Silva, Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived at Brazilian capital Brasilia on the afternoon of November 11, 2004, starting his state visit to this South American country, so as to deepen the cooperation in all areas between the two countries and further promote the all-around development of China-Brazil relations.

The Brasilia Plateau in November is verdant in comfortable climate. At around 5:30 in the afternoon, President Hu Jintao's special plane landed at the Brasilia Air Force Base. National flags of China and Brazil were bellowing over the airport, welcoming people gathered there, and an atmosphere of friendliness between the two countries was permeating there. President Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing were warmly received at the airport by Brazilian Ambassador to China Luiz Augusto de Castro Neves and senior officials from Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hu Jintao delivered a written speech at the airport. He pointed out that both China and Brazil are large developing countries, both are faced with the daunting tasks of economic development and improving people's life, and both shoulder significant responsibility of promoting common development. Over the 30 years since they established diplomatic ties, in particular since they established strategic partnership in the 1990s, both countries have achieved fruitful results in the friendly cooperation in all areas. China highly prioritizes the development of China-Brazil relations and will work with Brazil to promote their relationship to a new level.

Hu Jintao said that he looked forward to meeting with President Lula and exchanging opinions with him in depth on international and regional issues of common interest. He would also meet with Brazilian leaders such as President of the Senate Jose Sarney and President of the Chamber of Deputies Joao Laulo Cunhna. Hu Jintao expressed the confidence that this visit was bound to deepen the political mutual trust between the two countries, facilitate reciprocal collaboration, and enhance the development of the China-Brazil strategic partnership. Hu Jintao wished the Brazilian government and people to continue new progress in developing national economy and promoting social justice.

Also present at the airport to welcome President Hu Jintao were Chinese Ambassador to Brazil Jiang Yuande and the staff from the Chinese Embassy.

Wang Gang, member of Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and other escorts arrived in the same plane.

Brazil is the first stop of President Hu Jintao's four-nation tour to Latin America. After the visit to Brazil on the November16, Hu Jintao will also visit Argentina, Chile and Cuba. He will attend the 12th Informal Leadership Meeting of APEC at Chile's capital Santiago from November 20 to 21 during the visit.