BEIJING - Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika arrived here on Friday, kicking off a state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Bouteflika will also attend the two-day Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which is scheduled to commence on Nov. 4.

While in Beijing, Bouteflika will hold talks with President Hu and meet with top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao, respectively.

He will also head for China's economic hub of Shanghai following the summit.

Algeria established diplomatic ties with China on December 20, 1958. During Hu's visit to Algeria in February 2004, the two countries announced the establishment of a strategic cooperative relationship. Bilateral trade topped 1.77 billion US dollars in 2005.

Prior to his departure for China, Bouteflika said the summit will become an effective platform for enhancing mutual understanding among the developing countries.

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