President begins Sweden visit at royal palace

(AP)
Updated: 2007-06-09 17:02

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived at Stockholm's royal palace in a horse-drawn carriage Saturday at the start of a two-day state visit to the Nordic country.

Hu and King Carl XVI Gustaf, Sweden's figurehead monarch, stepped on to a blue carpet rolled out in the inner court yard for the official welcoming ceremony.

After inspecting an honor guard and listening to the national anthems, Hu shook hands with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and members of his Cabinet.

Queen Silvia and Hu's wife, Liu Yongqing, joined the president and King Carl Gustaf as they entered the palace to exchange gifts.

Hu is the first Chinese president to pay a state visit to Sweden. Later Saturday, he would travel to the west coast city of Goteborg, where a replica of an 18th century merchant ship will return from a nearly two-year trip to China.

Hu meets with Prime Minister Reinfeldt on Sunday, the last day of his visit.