PARIS - President Hu Jintao arrived in the French capital on Thursday to kick off a three-day state visit, which the French president said will be of the highest reception level.

Hu was greeted by a grand welcome ceremony right at the airport given by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife. It was the first time that the presidential couple went to the airport in person to welcome foreign leaders, which French diplomats say conveys the importance that France attaches to the visit of Chinese state leader.

The two leaders were expected to have bilateral meetings as well as witness the signing of a historically huge trade bill, including the purchase of more than 100 Airbus jets and nuclear plant projects.