Chinese top legislator Li Peng arrived in Port Lous on November 15 for an official goodwill visit aimed at boosting bilateral ties and exchanging views with Mauritian leaders on international issues of common concern.

Li Peng, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), is the highest ranking Chinese leader to visit the island nation since the two countries forged bilateral ties in 1972.

Li was greeted at the Plaisance airfield by Mauritian Acting Prime Minister Rajkeswur Purryag, National Assembly Speaker Ramesh Jeewoolall and a host of other Mauritian officials, who extended a warm welcome to the Chinese leader.

During his two-day visit here, Li is to hold talks with Mauritian President Cassam Uteem, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and Speaker Jeewoolall.

The Chinese leader is also going to lay a wreath at the tomb of Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, father of Navin Ramgoolam, who established diplomatic ties with China as the then prime minister of the Indian Ocean nation to the east of Madagascar.

Sino-Mauritian relations have developed smoothly during the past 27 years with fruitful economic and trade co-operation. Last year, the trade volume of the two countries reached 66.5 million US dollars.

Mauritius is the first leg of Li's six-nation tour of Africa, Middle East and the Gulf, which he said is aimed to "deepen understanding, enhance trust, promote friendship and expand co-operation." The tour will also take Li to South Africa, Kenya, Israel, Palestine and Oman.