Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, arrived in Muscat, capital of Oman to begin his official goodwill visit to this country, which is the last leg of his current six-nation tour.

Li left Tel Aviv Wednesday after winding up his week-long visit to Israel.

The Knesset (Parliament) Israeli-Chinese Friendship Group Chairman Uzi Baram and other senior Knesset officials saw Li off at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.

Before his departure, Li sent separate messages to Israeli President Ezer Weizman, Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg, expressing thanks for their warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his stay in Israel.

During the visit, Li had a cordial meeting with Weizman and held friendly talks with Barak and Burg on a wide range of issues of mutual concern.

Li said he was deeply impressed by the great achievements Israeli people have made in the past half century and by the ancient civilization of the Jewish people.

"I believe that the mutual exchange at high levels between our two countries will deepen the traditional friendship between our two peoples and promote our cooperation," Li said.

Israel was the fifth leg of Li's six-nation tour, which has already taken to him to Mauritius, South Africa, Kenya and Palestine.