Palestinian National Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday highly praised the positive development of ties between the Palestinian territories and China.

Meeting with the Vice President of Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) Li Xiaolin, Abbas expressed appreciation for China's help and consecutive support to the Palestinians.

Abbas also briefed Li on the progress of recent negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians.

For her part, Li conveyed regards from the Chinese leadership to Abbas, briefing China's position in principle on the Palestinian issues.

Li arrived in Ramallah earlier in the day for a one-day visit. Before the meeting, she laid a wreath on the grave of the former Palestinian president Yassar Arafat in the Palestinian president's headquarters here.

(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2008)