China's Special Envoy to the Middle East Wang Shijie held separate talks with members of the Palestinian leadership on Wednesday.

The senior Palestinian officials included head of Palestine Liberation Organization, Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, Palestinian Authority Acting President Rawhi Fattouh and Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath.

The Palestinian leadership praised China for its support of the Palestinians after the passing of Yassser Arafat and said a smooth transfer of power has been achieved in the Palestinian Authority.

The Palestinian leadership also pledged to consolidate unity among its people and improve the security situation through collective leadership and democratic means.

Wang Shijie has reiterated China's support for the just cause of the Palestinian people and hoped the Palestinians and Israel could push forward the peace process as soon as possible under relevant UN resolutions.

(CRI.com November 25, 2004)