Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan welcomes his Dutch counterpart Jozias van Aartsen to visit China at a time convenient to both sides, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.

Spokesman Zhu Bangzao made the remark in response to a reporter 's request for comment on a report that the foreign minister of the Netherlands will postpone his China visit.

Zhu said the Dutch side has informed China that Foreign Minister Aartsen will postpone his visit to China owing to a time factor. "We understand this and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan welcomes him to visit China when the time is convenient for both sides," Zhu said.

(Xinhua 02/07/2001)