Li Peng leaves his sickbed

The Chinese Prime Minister, Li Peng, 64, whose six-week illness set off frantic speculation about his political future, has recovered and will see the Malaysian leader, Mahathir Mohamad, who is visiting China next week, Reuter reports from Peking.

'Premier Li Peng is doing very well in his recovery and he will receive Prime Minister Mahathir personally,' a Foreign Ministry spokesman told a weekly news briefing. 'We will offer information in due course . . . but I may tell you that Premier Li Peng will not receive Prime Minister Mahathir in hospital,' he said. Mr Li has not been seen in public for more than six weeks.