Senior CPC official Li Changchun arrived in Paramaribo Tuesday afternoon, starting a goodwill visit to this Caribbean country.

Li, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) Central Committee, is the highest ranking Chinese official who visited Suriname in recent years.

In a statement released at the airport, Li said his visit is aimed to enhance mutual understanding, deepen friendship, expand common ground and promote cooperation.

The Chinese government places great importance to the friendly and cooperative relations with Suriname, which it regards as a "good friend" and "good partner" in the Caribbean region.

Li is to meet with President Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan and other significant figures of the government, parliament and political parties of Suriname during his stay in Paramaribo. Li said he is expecting to exchange view with them on issues of common concern in a frank and friendly way.

Suriname is the third leg of Li's visit to Latin America, which has brought him to Mexico and Venezuela and will continue to Peru.

During his three-day visit to Venezuela, Li received warm welcome from President Hugo Chavez Frias and other members of the government, parliament and major political parties. The two sides signed a number of economic deals and vowed to strengthen their strategic partnership.

(Xinhua News Agency March 28, 2007)