German President Horst Koehler arrived in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province on Wednesday, starting a four-day state visit to China.

This is Koehler's first ever China tour since he took office.

During his visit as guest of President Hu Jintao, Koehler is expected to hold talks with Hu, and meet with Premier Wen Jiabao and top political advisor Jia Qinglin.

Koehler's China visit would be a "very important" one as it coincides with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of China-Germany diplomatic ties, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told Tuesday's regular press conference.

"We hope to increase consensus while reducing disputes through dialogue, so as to lift bilateral relations to a new level." Jiang added.

Source: Xinhua