Arafat wins Chinese support

The two leaders met in the seaside resort of Beidaihe

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has won support from China over his plans to declare an independent state.

President Jiang Zemin has said China supports the Palestinians' right to self-determination, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Yasser Arafat: In China to gauge support

"We believe that the Palestinian National Authority led by Arafat will make a correct assessment of the situation and declare Palestine a state at the appropriate moment to achieve the best possible result," it quoted the president as saying.

Mr Arafat arrived in China on Monday to brief President Jiang Zemin on last month's failed Middle East peace talks with Israel.

The leaders met at the coastal resort of Beidaihe, 300km (185 miles) east of Beijing.

'Fruitful'

"China and its people will support whatever you decide, as long as it is in accordance with the Palestinian people's interests and will help the Palestinian people's just cause," Mr Jiang told Mr Arafat, according to state television.

Mr Arafat's spokesman Nabil Aburdene said it was a "very fruitful and successful meeting".

Jiang is getting closer to Israel too

The Palestinian leader has given conflicting signals on whether he will declare a Palestinian state on 13 September, the deadline for a final Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

China has long been a supporter of Mr Arafat. It was the first major power to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) in 1988.

But Beijing is building increasingly warm ties with Israel, particularly in the area of defence. Just two days after Mr Arafat's visit, former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres will arrive in Beijing to put Israel's side of the story.