The Communist Party of China (CPC) delegation led by Liu Yunshan, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, wrapped up its good-will visit to Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) yesterday.

During his visit to Israel, Liu met with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Foreign Minister and ruling Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni, Defense Minister and Labor chairman Ehud Barak and Binyamin Netanyahu, former prime minister and leader of main opposition party Likud.

In his meeting with Peres in Jerusalem on Monday, Liu conveyed the warm greetings of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Peres, praising the long-term efforts made by Peres to advance the relationship between China and Israel.

The CPC and the Chinese government attach great importance to the relations with Israel, said Liu, adding that the Chinese government and people have always cherished the friendship between China and Israel.

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1992, bilateral relations have been developing smoothly and progressing steadily, and China is willing to work with Israel to advance the bilateral ties to a higher level, said Liu.

Regarding the Middle East peace process, Liu said that it is in the long-term interest of regional countries, including Israel, to achieve comprehensive and impartial peace in the region as early as possible.

China will, as always, work with the international community and play a constructive role in helping resolve the issue, he said.

For his part, Peres asked Liu to convey his good-will greetings to Hu and recalled his visit to Beijing in August to attend the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympics, saying that the huge success of Beijing Olympics made the world feel China's profound culture and its courage to embrace the modern world.

China plays an important role in promoting world peace and stability, praised the Israeli president, saying that Israel appreciates the amazing achievements made by China.

There is huge potential for Israeli-Sino cooperation. In addition to the bilateral cooperation in traditional fields such as trade, agriculture and medical treatment, the two countries canalso cooperate in various burgeoning fields such as renewable energy, purification of water resources and biological technology, Peres said.

While meetings with PNA President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in the West Bank city of Ramallah yesterday, 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.

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.

Israel and the PNA are the last part of CPC delegation's Middle East goodwill tour that also took it to Iran, Bahrain and Egypt.