A visiting senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said in Ramallah on Wednesday that China hopes for joint efforts to push forward the Middle East peace process.

Palestinian National Authority(PNA) President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with Liu Yunshan, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau and head of the CPC Central Committee Publicity Department, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, December 3, 2008. [Yin Bogu/Xinhua]

Liu Yunshan, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during meetings with Palestinian National Authority (PNA) President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in the West Bank city.

Liu highlighted China's hope for realizing a comprehensive, just and everlasting peace in the Middle East at an early date, based on related UN resolutions and the "Land for Peace" principle.

Liu, who leads a CPC delegation, conveyed cordial greetings from CPC and Chinese leaders to Abbas and Fayyad, saying that relations between the two sides would witness greater development in the future.

Abbas expressed appreciation of the positive development of the solid ties between the Palestinians and China, expressing gratitude to China over its support for the Palestinian cause.

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad (R) meets with Liu Yunshan, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau and head of the CPC Central Committee Publicity Department, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, December 3, 2008. [Yin Bogu/Xinhua]

Citing China's success in hosting the Olympic Games and launching the Shenzhou VII manned space flight, Abbas said the Palestinian people are proud of the remarkable achievements of the friendly nation.

The Palestinian side is willing to strengthen communication and exchange with the Chinese government and the CPC in order to further develop bilateral relations in a comprehensive way, said Abbas.

Meanwhile, Fayyad said the Palestinian people cherish the enduring friendship with China and are willing to enhance mutual beneficial cooperation in all aspects, including politics, economy, culture and education.

Before the meetings, Liu laid a wreath at the grave of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, which is located in the compound of the Palestinian president's office in Ramallah.

During his one-day trip in Ramallah, Liu, along with Abbas, also presided the signing ceremony for an economic and technical cooperation agreement between China and the Palestinians.

The Palestinian territories is the last leg of Liu's good-will visit to the region, which has taken him to Iran, Bahrain, Egypt and Israel.

(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2008)