Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong has visited the Palestinian embassy in Beijing to express his condolences for the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Zeng Qihong placed a wreath at the embassy Thursday evening and wrote in the visitors' book that Arafat was an outstanding leader and remarkable politician.

Palestinian Ambassador Zakaria Abdul-Rahim expressed his gratitude and highly praised the Chinese government and peoples' support of the Palestinian cause.

A few hours after Arafat's death was announced, Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a letter of condolences to Rawhi Fattuh, speaker of the Palestine Legislative Council. He said his death is not just a loss to the Palestinian people but also to the Chinese people who have been honored with Arafat's friendship.

Late Thursday evening, vice Premier Hui Liangyu arrived in Cairo as Hu Jintao's special envoy to attend Yasser Arafat's funeral on Friday morning.

(CRI November 12, 2004)