China expressed hope that US President George W. Bush's three-day visit to Beijing which starts tomorrow will enhance mutual trust, expand exchanges and co-operation between the two countries.

Bush made a speech in Kyoto, Japan on Wednesday, touching upon Sino-US relations, human rights and religion.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao also reiterated in a regular news briefing Thursday that the nation is seeking a peaceful path to achieve development.

Noting that China has made remarkable progress in the field of human rights, Liu said: "Chinese people, in accordance with laws, enjoy all forms of democracy and freedom, including freedom of religious belief."

He said that all countries should hold dialogues on human rights on the principle of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs.

When asked to comment on Bush's remarks about Taiwan, Liu said Taiwan is not a country but an inalienable part of China and thus cannot be treated as a sovereign nation.

"Taiwan has its own circumstances and the Chinese mainland has its own circumstances. We hope that in this area, the United States will have the right understanding," he said.

Bush will arrive in the Chinese capital late tomorrow and is scheduled to meet his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other Chinese leaders on Sunday.

He will stay until Monday, when he is scheduled to depart for Mongolia, the last destination of his three-nation Asian tour.

"We expect that Bush's visit will increase consensus, step up mutual trust, expand exchange and co-operation, and promote Sino-US constructive and co-operative relations in the 21st century in a comprehensive way," Liu said.

Liu also revealed that US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, at the invitation of Public Security Minister Zhou Yongkang, started a three-day visit to China Thursday.

Source: China Daily