BEIJING, Nov. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- China hopes US President George W. Bush's imminent visit to the country will advance Sino-US relations in an all-round day, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao at the regular briefing Thursday afternoon.

    "We expect that Bush's visit, slated for Nov. 19 to 21, will increase consensus, step up mutual trust, expand exchange and cooperation, and promote Sino-US constructive and cooperative relations in 21st century in an all-round way," said Liu.

    When asked to comment on President Bush's remarks in Kyoto Tuesday, which touched upon Sino-US relations, human rights and religion, Liu said that China pursues a path of peaceful development.

    Noting that China has made remarkable, important progress in the field of human rights, the Chinese people, in accordance with laws, enjoy all various kinds of democracy and freedom, including the freedom in religious belief.

    "All countries should hold exchanges and dialogues on human rights on the principled basis of equality, mutual respect and non-intervention in internal affairs," the spokesman said.

    US attorney general to visit China

    Attorney General of the Department of Justice of the United States Alberto Gonzales is scheduled to visit China from November 17 to 19.

    Gonzales was invited by Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhou Yongkang, said Liu when responding to a journalist's question.

    He said Chinese leaders will meet the US delegation during their stay in Beijing, and Zhou will hold bilateral talks with Gonzales.

    Besides, leaders of the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry of Justice of China will also meet with the delegation.

    Liu said the two sides will mainly exchange views during their meetings and talks on such subjects as striking cross-border crimes, anti-terrorism and strengthening cooperation in law enforcement.

    Remarks on "Taiwan's Independence" no legal ground       

    The remarks saying Taiwan is an independent sovereign state has no any legal ground. 

    "Relevant parties have signed a memorandum of understanding on the state of Taiwan in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting", Liu said, hoping that they could act in accordance with the principle of the memorandum.

    A former official of Taiwan's "Executive Yuan" said during the APEC meeting that Taiwan is a country with independent sovereignty.

    Liu said there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing China.

    This fact is acknowledged by most countries in the world and bymajority member states of the United Nations, Liu added.

    "We can not accept any remarks saying Taiwan is an independent sovereign state by any means, no matter it is made out of ignorance or some other political motives," Liu said.

    Pakistan post-quake reconstruction

    China will attend the international donors' conference on Pakistan post-earthquake reconstruction, scheduled in Islamabad on Nov. 19, the spokesman said.

    Liu said that the Chinese government delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei will consist of officials from the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Commerce and Seismological Bureau.

    An earthquake of 7.6 on the Richter scale jolted Pakistan on Oct. 8. Authorized statistics from Pakistan showed the quake had left more than 86,000 dead and over 100,000 injured so far. Three million people have become homeless.

    Liu said the Chinese government attaches great importance to Pakistan's reconstruction work and will continue to offer help.

    "We hope and also believe that the international community will take active and effective measures to help the Pakistani government and people to rebuild the disaster-hit areas," Liu said.

    According to the Foreign Ministry, the Chinese government has offered aids worth of 26.73 million US dollars to the Pakistani quake victims. Enditem