China urges dialogue on human rights

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said both China and the United States should conduct dialogues on human rights issue based on equality and mutual respect.

    Qin said this in reply to a reporter's question concerning Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States.

    He said Hu will explain China's position and opinions on human rights issue if the topic is brought up during his U.S. visit.

    "We oppose confrontation and interference in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights," Qin said.

    The spokesman said China and the United States share common ground on the human rights issue, which focuses on the protection and promotion of human rights, noting that China is willing to have dialogue with other countries, including the United States.

SCO's principle of openness highlighted

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang has highlighted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's principle of openness, noting that the current task for the organization is to step up pragmatic cooperation between members.

    He said China, as host of the SCO summit this June, is consulting with other member nations about inviting guest nations to the summit.

    Dubbed a new model for regional cooperation, the SCO was founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001. Its main focus is regional security and anti-terrorism.

    The permanent members of the SCO are China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Its four observer states are Mongolia, Pakistan, India and Iran.