President Jiang is also to meet the British foreign secretary.Robin Cook, with human rights and the situation in Hong Kong expected to be raised.

Mr Cook earlier had talks with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Qian Qichen, at which they both referred to improved relations between the countries after disagreements during the handover of Hong Kong.

Mr Cook goes on to Hong Kong later today .

During discussions about human rights, Mr Qian said that China would welcome a visit by the new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

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