国内英语新闻:Senior CPC official arrives in Italy to start five-nation tour

PISA, Italy, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Communist Party's anti-graft chief He Guoqiang arrived here Saturday to start an official goodwill visit to Italy, the first leg of his five-nation tour.

He, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made a written statement at the airport upon his arrival.

He said both China and Italy are countries with great ancient civilizations, and that the two peoples have enjoyed a long-term friendship.

He Guoqiang (R, front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC, is welcomed upon his arrival in Pisa, Italy, June 5, 2010. He Guoqiang arrived here Saturday to start an official goodwill visit to Italy, the first leg of his five-nation tour.

The Sino-Italian comprehensive and strategic partnership has kept developing in recent years, with political trust and trade and economic cooperation between the two countries deepened, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges yielding remarkable results, He said.

He also said that all of the advances have not only benefited the two countries and peoples, but also contributed greatly to Sino-Europe cooperation.

He, also head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC, said that China and Italy now enjoy new opportunities to enhance their ties. He said that he hopes during his visit that both sides would exchange views on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern, and boost mutual understanding so as to lift friendly cooperation to a new height.

He will later visit Iceland, Norway, Lithuania and Turkmenistan.