Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Santiago Thursday to begin a state visit to Chile and to attend the 12th summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Hu will meet and exchange views with Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar and parliamentary leaders during his stay in the South American country.

Hu said in a written speech upon arrival at the airport that he will discuss major international and regional issues with them and "learn from the experiences of Chile's development and success."

"I believe that the visit will expand our common ground, enhance mutual trust and cooperation," he said. "China-Chile relations will grow to a higher level."

Chile was the first among South American nations that established full diplomatic relations with China in 1970. The two countries decided to form a "full-range cooperative relations" in 2001.

Chile was the third largest trading partner of China among South American nations. Two-way trade reached 3.529 billion US dollars in 2003, up 37.6 percent from the previous year.

Key events in Sino-Chilean relations

Dec. 15, 1970 -- Chile becomes the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with China.

May 1990 -- Chinese President Yang Shangkun pays a state visit to Chile. Both sides sign a memorandum on plant quarantine cooperation.

Nov. 13-17, 1992 -- Chilean President Patricio Aylwin Azocar pays a state visit to China. He is the first Chilean head of state to visit China.

November 1995 -- Chilean President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle pays a state visit to China.

November 1996 -- Chinese Premier Li Peng visits Chile. Li is the first Chinese premier to visit Chile.

Feb. 20, 2001 -- A Chilean Foreign Ministry report says Chilean export to China reaches 907 million US dollars in 2000. China becomes the fifth largest importing country of Chile.

April 5-7, 2001 -- Chinese President Jiang Zemin pays a state visit to Chile. Both sides sign agreements on agricultural, cultural and seismological cooperation.

April 2001 -- Chilean Senate President Andres Zaldivar Larrain visits China.

Oct. 22-24, 2001 -- Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar pays a state visit to China. Both sides sign agreements on cooperation in plant quarantine and agricultural technology.

Jan.- May, 2002 -- Bilateral trade grows by 29.1 percent over the same period last year.