China’s ruling Communist Party (CPC) on Tuesday confirmed that Congress President Sonia Gandhi has accepted President Hu Jintao’s invitation to visit the country, saying the event will further enhance friendship between leaders of the two countries.

“Not long ago, we were very pleased to be informed that Sonia Gandhi has included her visit to China in the agenda of her recent overseas visits,” Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Zhang Zhijun, said. “We attach great importance to this upcoming visit and the International Department is making every possible preparation for her visit to China,” Zhang said.

Zhang said President Hu Jintao, during his visit to India last year, had invited her to visit China. “According to my knowledge Ms Gandhi has also accepted the invitation with pleasure,” he said without divulging the dates for the high-level visit.