China's President Hu Jintao and Fidel Castro, president of the Council of State wave during their meeting at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana, November 22, 2004. Hu Jintao is in Cuba on an official two-day visit. (Reuters photo)

Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Havana Monday to begin a two-day state visit to Cuba.

Hu is expected to meet with Fidel Castro, president of the Council of State and other Cuban leaders to exchange views on bilateral relations and major international issues.

"I believe that the visit will deepen our friendship and cooperation," Hu said in a written speech upon arrival at the airport. "We hope to work with Cuba for a better future of our friendly cooperation."

Cuba was the first Latin American country that established full diplomatic relations with China in 1960. Hu previously visited Cuba in 1997.

Two-way trade between China and Cuba has been about 400 million US dollars annually over the past three years. The trade volume reached 401 million US dollars from January to September this year, up 36.7 percent.

China mainly imports sugar and nickle from Cuba and exports machinery and electronic products to Cuba.

Chinese president concludes visit to Chile

Chinese President Hu Jintao left Santiago Monday for Cuba, following his first state visit to Chile and the conclusion of the annual Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Hu began the visit to Chile last Thursday. During the visit, China and Chile decided to launch negotiations aimed at establishing a free trade area, making Chile the first South American nation to start such talks with China.

Chile formally recognized China's status as a full market economy while China put Chile on the list of its outbound tourist destinations.

China and Chile also agreed to expand trade and strengthen cooperation in the areas of agriculture, mineral resources and public health.

Chile was China's third largest trading partner among South American nations. The two-way trade volume reached 3.53 billion US dollars in 2003, up 37.6 percent from that in the previous year.

Backgrounder: Major events in Sino-Cuban relations

-- Sept. 28, 1960, China establishes diplomatic relations with Cuba.

-- November 1960, Cuban leader Guevara pays a visit to China, and the two governments sign the first Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation.

-- September 1961, Cuban President Roertecos visits China.

-- 1989, an exchange of visits between Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and his Cuban counterpart Malmierca marks the full resumption of Sino-Cuban relations.

-- Aug. 3 to Sept. 9, 1991, Cuban minister Naranjo visits China.

-- Nov. 21-22, 1993, President Jiang Zemin pays a short visit to Cuba.

-- Nov. 30 to Dec. 6, 1993, Chairman Alarcon of Cuban National Assembly visits China and meets with President Jiang Zemin and Chairman Qiao Shi of the NPC Standing Committee.

-- Oct. 9, 1995, Chinese Premier Li Peng, after concluding his visit in Mexico and on his way to Peru, stops over in Cuba and holds talks with President Castro.

-- Nov. 29 to Dec. 8, 1995, President Castro pays a state visit to China.

-- Jan. 12-15, 1997, Hu Jintao, member of the CPC Central Standing Committee pays an official visit to Cuba.

-- Sept. 16-18, 2000, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan visits Cuba.

-- Feb. 25 to March 3, 2001, Cuban Foreign Minister Perez visits China.

-- April 12-15, 2001, President Jiang Zemin pays a state visit to Cuba.

-- Nov. 3-7, 2001, Li Peng, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, pays an official visit to Cuba.

-- Feb. 26 to March 1, 2003, President Castro pays a state visit to China.