Hu and his entourage were greeted at the Hickam Air Force Base by Hawaii Governor Banjamin Cayetano, Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Command Dennis Blair, Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris, other local officials and Chinese Ambassador to the United States Yang Jiechi.

In a written statement upon his arrival, Hu called Hawaii "a shining pearl on the Pacific Ocean" and "a bridge linking Eastern and Western cultures".

In recent years, he said, the state of Hawaii has increased exchanges and cooperation with China, contributing to a closer friendship between the people of China and the United States.

The Chinese vice-president said his current visit is aimed at implementing the consensus reached by Chinese President Jiang Zemin and US President George W. Bush in their talks in Beijing, strengthening mutual understanding and pushing forward the constructive and cooperative relationship between the two countries.

"I am looking forward to meeting with President Bush, Vice President Cheney and other US leaders, having an in-depth exchange of views with them on bilateral relations and the international situation, getting acquainted with people from all walks of life and learning on the spot the achievements made by the American people in economic, scientific and technological, cultural and other fields," he said.

Hu expressed his belief that, through concerted efforts from the two sides, his visit will attain the anticipated goals.

Hu is scheduled to fly to New York on Sunday and is to meet with President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney in Washington.

(China Daily April 28, 2002)