US urged to end rights dispute through talks

China and the US should hold talks on equal footing and mutual respect to resolve their disputes over human rights and religion, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

Responding to US President George W. Bush's criticism of China on the two issues, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said China firmly opposes "words and deeds" that interfere in other countries' internal affairs in the guise of human rights and religion.

During his visit to Bangkok yesterday, Bush said: "The US believes the people of China deserve the fundamental liberty that is the natural right of all human beings."