Hu to visit Thailand, Australia, New Zealand
( 2003-10-10 09:40) (Xinhua)
President Hu Jintao will pay state visits to Thailand, Australia and New Zealand from Oct. 17 to 27 at the invitation of Thai King Bhumibhol Adulyadej, Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery and New Zealand Governor-General Silvia Cartwright.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue made the announcement at a routine news conference Thursday.
Meanwhile, President Hu will also participate in the 11th AsianPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting to be held in the Thai capital of Bangkok on Oct. 20-21.
Prior to that, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Vice-Minister of Commerce Yu Guangzhou would leave Beijing on Oct. 16 for Thailand to take part in the 15th APEC Ministerial Meeting on Oct. 17 and 18 in Bangkok.
Zhang acknowledged that the Chinese side paid great attention to the APEC meetings, as APEC had made many substantial contributions in promoting the liberalization of trade and investment in Asia and cooperation in economic and technical areassince its establishment in 1989.
China hoped that the meeting could reach consensus on major issues that affect global and regional development, further promote the growth of a multilateral trade system, the liberalization of trade and investment in Asia and cooperation in economic and technical fields, advance the coordinated economic and social development, and attain more concrete achievements in the fight against terrorism, the spokeswoman said.
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