Top Chinese legislator Li Peng on Saturday left Muscat for home after winding up his four-day official goodwill visit to Oman, the last leg of his tour to six African and Asian nations. Before Li left, Omani State Council President Hamoud Al-Harthy called on Li in Li's hotel suite to bid farewell. He told Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, that his visit was successful. Al-Harthy also expressed his appreciation of China's Middle East policy, calling it "wise" and "correct." He said he hopes China will play a bigger role in the Middle East peace process and in the safeguarding of peace and stability in the Gulf region. Upon leaving Muscat, Li sent a message to Al-Harthy, expressing his thanks for the warm reception he was given while staying in Oman. Li said that during his visit, he held friendly talks with Al-Harthy and met Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud and other leaders of the Arab nation. Li said the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral cooperation and other international issues of common concern. Li expressed his belief that his visit has deepened the mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and the Omani peoples and between the National People's Congress of China and the State Council of Oman. The visit will contribute to the further development of friendly relations of cooperation between the two countries, Li said. Li arrived here Wednesday after concluding his trip to Mauritius, South Africa, Kenya, Palestine and Israel. (Xinhua) |