Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in the Polish capital of Warsaw Tuesday for a two-day state visit, which is aimed at furthering bilateral relations.

Hu said in a speech at the airport upon arrival that he believes his visit to Poland "will strengthen the friendship between peoples of the two countries and will promote cooperative relations to a higher level."

Hu is expected to meet with Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski and other Polish leaders during the two-and-a-half day visit and "draw up a blueprint for the long-term development of China-Poland relations," Hu said.

The Chinese president said this year marks the 55th anniversary of China-Poland diplomatic relations and that China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Poland on the basis of "mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and non-interference in each other's internal affairs."

Hu's entourage includes his wife Liu Yongqing, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai.

Poland has developed as an important partner of China in central and eastern Europe. Chinese diplomats said Hu's choice of Poland as the first leg of his four-nation tour demonstrates the importance China attaches to its relations with Poland.

Hu will also visit Hungary, Romania and Uzbekistan before attending a summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, slated for June 17.

Important visit

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao said Tuesday that Chinese President Hu Jintao's tour to Poland, Hungary, Romania and Uzbekistan, that started on Tuesday, is "an important visit".

Liu said in response to a reporter's question at a regular press conference that this is Hu's first state visit to these countries since he became the Chinese president.

The spokesman said the four countries are all friendly partners of China, and have conducted sound cooperation with China in economic cooperation and international affairs.

The visit will help increase bilateral understanding, deepen the friendship, expand cooperation, and further promote the friendly cooperative ties between China and these countries, said Liu.

During his visit, the president will also attend the Tashkent summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), said Liu.

He said the Tashkent summit meeting will be the SCO's first meeting since the organization entered a new stage of development, which will be of great importance for SCO to fix its

direction of future development, specify its work in all areas, and further play its role in regional and international affairs.

Liu said the purpose of the Tashkent summit meeting is to deepen the cooperation among SCO members in the security, trade and economic areas. During the meeting, heads of state of the SCO members will make important decisions on SCO cooperation in various fields like diplomacy, security, economy and transport, and also will sign a series of agreements and documents.

Liu said that, during the meeting, the Chinese side will take a positive and constructive attitude and hold close consultations with other countries on strengthening relevant cooperation.