Chairman Li Peng of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) arrived in Ramallah on November 17 from Israel for a one-day official and good-will visit to Palestine.

Li is the highest ranking Chinese leader to visit the Palestinian territory at the invitation of Ahmed Qurei, speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).

Upon arrival at the Presidential Office in the center of the city, Li was extended warm welcome by President of Palestine Yasser Arafat and other senior PLC and Palestinian cabinet officials.

Accompanied by Arafat, Li inspected a guard of honor.

During his short stay here, Li will hold talks with Arafat on bilateral relations, regional and international issues of common concern and attend a special PLC welcoming session to be held in his honor.