In this story:

• China president to visit Britain
• Cooling tensions after HK handover

BEIJING (CNN) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair opened his whirlwind trip to China Tuesday with a "frank exchange of views" with his Chinese counterpart, Premier Zhu Rongji. The two leaders also said they had forged a "comprehensive partnership" during their meeting.

Blair, who had promised to raise human rights with China leaders, did not specifically say what issues he discussed with Zhu in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, but he hinted human rights had come up.

Without elaboration, he told reporters there had been a "frank exchange of views this morning, even in areas where we disagree."

Just hours before Blair arrived in Beijing, the first visit by a British prime minister in seven years, China signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights at the United Nations, more than six months after promising to do so.

The covenant guarantees freedom of expression, a fair trial and protection against torture and arbitrary arrest.

Among other topics, the British prime minister was expected to discuss the global financial crisis, efforts to fight international terrorism and Hong Kong's progress 15 months after China resumed control over Britain's last major colony.

Blair received a red-carpet welcome in Beijing's Tiananmen Square earlier Tuesday, complete with a booming 21-gun salute. After reviewing an honor guard, Blair and Zhu walked into the Great Hall for their face-to-face meeting.

The two chatted privately for about 45 minutes before beginning their formal discussions.

Zhu began by announcing that President Jiang Zemin had accepted an invitation from Queen Elizabeth to become the first Chinese head of state to visit Britain since full diplomatic relations were established in 1972.

Jiang will visit in the latter half of next year.

After their talks, Zhu and Blair spoke warmly of their personal friendship and said they had established a "comprehensive partnership."

"I want to stress in particular the personal friendship the prime minister and I have already forged," Zhu said. He praised Blair for his "major and historic role" in Hong Kong's return.

Blair said he admires Zhu for his zeal in reforming China's state-owned banks and industries, and his efforts to overhaul an outdated government bureaucracy. The British prime minister said the fact he discussed areas of disagreement with Zhu was "a tribute to the strength of our relationship."

Blair's visit caps efforts to repair the damage to relations over Hong Kong, especially moves to grant the colony more democracy in the twilight of British rule. Blair and President Jiang agreed to make "a new beginning" hours before the handover on July 1, 1997.

Blair will check on Hong Kong, the last stop on his five-day visit. He will also spend a day in Shanghai boosting British business by opening a factory and an insurance office and stopping off at a trade exhibition.

While in Beijing, Blair will also meet with President Jiang on Wednesday, look at British efforts to aid urban renewal and give a speech to British business executives.

Later Tuesday, he was due to tour the Forbidden City and be guest of honor at a state banquet hosted by Premier Zhu.