BEIJING: Singapore's Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has arrived in Beijing for a four-day visit.

His first stop Tuesday morning was at the Forbidden City which is currently undergoing renovations ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Mr Goh's last visit to the palace was 36 years ago, and he got a rare chance to step into the imperial bridal chamber known as the Hall of Earthly Tranquility.

This hall is usually only opened to visiting heads of state.

In the imperial garden Mr and Mrs Goh posed in front of what is dubbed the lover's tree - two trees entwined into one - a symbol of everlasting love.

The Senior Minister was last in China a year ago.

He is here at the invitation of the Chinese government.

The key focus of the Senior Minister's visit is to further advance already good Singapore-China bilateral relations to a strategic level.

Over the next few days he will meet Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and will deliver an opening address at the Business and Investment Promotion Expo in Central China. - CNA/yy