BEIJING, May 9 (BERNAMA-NNN- AGENCIES) -- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos Calderon arrived in Beijing Tuesday afternoon, kicking off his five-day state visit to China aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

During the visit, Chinese President Hu Jintao will hold talks with the president. Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice Premier Li Keqiang will also have separate meetings with him.

While here, Santos will sign some cooperation agreements to boost trade and investments between Colombia and China.

Santos will also meet with the Chinese business community as part of his mission to boost trade and investment to Colombia, according to Prensa Latina news agency.

On Wednesday, Santos will give an address on 'Colombia towards Democratic Prosperity' at Peking University and donate 257 Spanish books to the university.

The president will also fly to Shanghai, China's economic hub, after wrapping up his agenda in Beijing.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua news agency ahead of the trip, his first as president, Santos said he hoped Colombia could expand cooperation with China in all fields and become an "important ally" of China.

-- BERNAMA-NNN-AGENCIES