Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhu Bangzao said at a regular briefing that such a decision is conducive to China-EU human rights dialogues and exchanges.

Zhu said he hoped that the EU will judge China's human rights conditions objectively and fairly and will adopt "a more active and constructive" attitude during the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.

The United States and other Western nations have tabled anti-China motions since 1990, but none has received enough votes.

Zhu said the Chinese government has committed itself to improving in human rights conditions, citing recent efforts in promoting grass-roots democracy, carrying out judicial reform and cracking down on corruption.

"China has entered a new phase in the comprehensive construction of a well-off, lawful society,'' said Zhu. "China's human rights conditions have never been better.''

Zhu said capital punishment would not be abolished, but that China has very strict rules concerning its application.

"We can talk about related issues (of dispute) in consultations, but these should not become means by which to put pressure on other countries,'' said Zhu.

Zhu announced that Chinese President Jiang Zemin will pay state visits to Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba and Venezuela, and will pay a working visit to Brazil between April 5 and 17.

Jiang is expected to exchange views with leaders of the Latin American countries on bilateral relations and major international issues, said the spokesman, adding that the visit will promote the long-term and stable development of co-operation in the new century.

Before the visit, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan will attend the first ministerial meeting of the East Asia-Latin America Forum to be held in Chilean capital Santiago on March 29 and 30.

Concerning the report that the new US administration may have quietly given up its "three-noes" commitments on the Taiwan question -- the abbreviation for the US commitment that it does not support Taiwan independence, one-China, one Taiwan or two Chinas, nor Taiwan's entry to any international organization where statehood is required, Zhu urged the US government to "properly handle the issue.''

"These were solemn commitments made by the US government to the Chinese people,'' said Zhu. "The current US administration is obliged to honour these commitments and properly handle the issue. This is crucial to the maintenance of peace in Taiwan and to the sound and steady development of China-US relations.''

Former US President Clinton during his visit to China in 1998 clearly stated his administration's adherence to the principle.

(China Daily 03/21/2001)