Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council has expressed confidence that the coming visit by China's top legislator Li Peng would help promote and enhance bilateral relations.

In an interview with Chinese journalists in Ramallah on the eve of Li's visit, Abu Ala hailed the distinguished Palestinian-Chinese ties as "age-old relations which we highly esteem and appreciate."

Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, is due to visit the Palestinian self-rule areas Saturday.

Abu Ala said that China was the first country to announce its support of the Palestine cause following the outbreak of the Palestinian revolution in the early 1960s. "The Palestinian people are thus grateful to China and its support of the Palestine cause," he said, adding that "China's stance has remained firm."

He pointed out that Chinese government and people over the past decades have supported the Palestinian people's struggle for legitimate national rights, extending valuable material support.

"China has never interfered in our affairs, not once, but has always maintained a firm stance whether in bilateral relations or at the international level such the United Nations, the non-aligned movement and all international conferences," he said.

"China has always supported the Palestinian stance, and we appreciate that," he added.

Recalling his last visit to China during which he went to Beijing and Shanghai, Abu Ala said "the Palestinian people are delighted at China's great achievements in economic, social, technological and defense fields, under the banners of reform and openness."

Emphasizing that these achievements have placed China among the first ranking countries of the world, he particularly expressed his pleasure with China's recent successful launch of a spacecraft.

He further said that Palestinian people would happily welcome Li whom he described as a highly placed guest and friend of the Palestinian leadership and people.

He pointed out that the first visit to Palestine by the head of the Chinese legislative will contribute greatly to the development and boosting of bilateral relations, adding that he will openly discuss with the Chinese guests basic issues of bilateral interest in all fields as well as the peace process.

The two sides will also discuss ways and means of promoting cooperation between the two parliaments in legislation and relate fields.

Abu Ala said the Palestinian side will suggest the formation a friendship committee of the two parliaments as part of the efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Li is the highest ranking Chinese leader to visit the Palestinian self-rule territories. During his half-day stay, he will meet Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian National Authority in Ramallah and other senior officials. He will also address the Palestinian Legislative Council. (Xinhua)