On November 10, 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in the capital city of Germany, Berlin, for a state visit to the country.

The special plane that carried President Hu landed on Tegel Airport of Berlin at 12:40 local time. When President Hu and his wife Liu Yongqing stepped out of the door of the plane, 21 salutes were fired. President Hu and his wife were welcomed by Secretary of State for the Presidential Palace Mr. Janssen and his wife.

In a written speech at the airport, President Hu noted the exchanges and friendship between China and Germany enjoy a long history. Since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1972, bilateral relations have developed rapidly with close political relations, strong momentum of economic and trade cooperation, frequent exchanges and cooperation in science, technology, education, culture, law and tourism as well as sound consultation and coordination in international affairs.

Hu said China-Germany relations are facing with a new period of development. He was looking forward to meeting with German leaders including President Horst Köhler to exchange in-depth views with them on deepening China-Germany comprehensive friendly cooperation. He also expected to meet with a wide range of people from different communities in Germany. It is believed that this visit will play a positive role in pushing forward further development of bilateral relations.

Chinese Ambassador to Germany Ma Canrong and other staffs in the embassy also went to the airport to meet President Hu.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and other officials arrived by the same plane.

Hu left London for Germany following his state visit to the United Kingdom. Before he left Buckingham Palace for the airport, Queen Elizabeth II paid a special visit to President Hu and his wife to say goodbye.

Germany is the second leg of President Hu's current tour. He will also pay state visits to Spain and the Republic of Korea and attend the 13th APEC Leaders Informal Meeting in Pusan.