At the invitation of U.S. President Barack Obama, Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in the U.S. capital of Washington on January 18, 2011, for a state visit to the country.

At about 16:00 local time, President Hu’s special plane arrived at the Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington. U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden and other officials greeted Hu at the airport.

President Hu delivered a written speech at the airport. He said though the two countries are thousands of miles apart, the vast Pacific Ocean can’t separate the friendship between both peoples. Hu lauded the wholly sound momentum of growth in Sino-U.S. relations over the past three decades, citing fruitful cooperation in a wide range of areas and productive communication and coordination on major international and regional affairs. "Our cooperation has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples and played an important role in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond," Hu said.

Noting that the international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes, Hu said China and the United States have growing common interests and responsibilities and enjoy broader prospect for cooperation. He said the purpose of his visit is to enhance mutual trust, promote friendship, deepen cooperation and move forward the positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship for the 21st century. "I look forward to having in-depth discussions with President Obama on China-U.S. relations and major international and regional issues of shared interest," said Hu. "I also look forward to meeting American friends from various sectors to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples," he said.

Hu said the long-term, sound and steady growth of China-U.S. relations is conducive to the fundamental interests of the Chinese and American peoples and to world peace and development. China stands ready to work with the United States to actively develop China-U.S. relations on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit and join all other countries in a common effort to build a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity, Hu said.

Hu’s entourage including Wang Qishan, Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo arrived by the same plane.

Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Zhang Yesui also greeted Hu at the airport.

In the evening, President Hu will attend a private dinner hosted by President Obama.