Chinese President Hu Jintao left Beijing this afternoon for state visits to the United States, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Nigeria and Kenya from April 18-29.

Hu is making the visits at the invitation of US President George W. Bush, King of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz, King of Morocco Sidi Mohammed, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.

Hu's entourage includes his wife Liu Yongqing, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister in charge of the State Development and Reform Commission Ma Kai, Commerce Minister Bo Xilai, Director of the Policy Research Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Wang Huning, Deputy Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee Ling Jihua, Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Director of the President's Office Chen Shiju.