China on Friday expressed concern over the United States expanding economic sanctions against Belarus, saying it hopes the dispute would be solved through dialogue.

China always opposes any move that interferes in other countries' internal affairs or pressures other countries under the pretext of democracy and human rights, and it is also against employing sanctions at every turn in international affairs, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said in response to a relevant question.

"We don't think forcing other countries to subordinate to some country's self-interests through economic sanctions would help maintain normal state-to-state relations and growth of international trade," she said.

It is known to all that Belarus, under the leadership of its President Alexander Lukashenko, has witnessed social stability, economic growth and a better life for its people in recent years, and this should be judged objectively and fairly by the international community, Jiang said.

"We hope the relevant countries solve disputes through dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect."

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2008)