Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, told Slovenian President Miran Kucan that China believes that global, regional and ethnic conflicts must be resolved through peaceful negotiations - not by military force.

The internal affairs of every country should be handled by its people, Li said. Every country must also adhere to the principle of non-interference in another country's internal affairs, he added.

China treats equally all the countries that have emerged from the former Yugoslavia, and is willing to develop relations with them on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, Li said.

Kucan briefed Li on the Slovenian Government's stance on human rights, the war in Kosovo, the situation in the Balkans region and Slovenia's effort to join the European Union and NATO.

He reiterated Slovenia's support for the one-China principle. His country does not have any political ties with Taiwan, Kucan said.

"We firmly believe that the Chinese people have the ability to resolve the Taiwan question and we do not have reason to stray from the one-China principle," he was quoted as saying.

Li said the Chinese Government's stance is consistent and clear on human rights.

"We advocate dialogue, not confrontation, on human rights issues," Li said. "We oppose the thinking that regards human rights as being higher than sovereignty."

Such thinking opens the door for interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, Li said. It is detrimental to the healthy development of international relations, he added.

Kucan said Slovenia regards China as a strategic partner and believes it is important to conduct political dialogue with China.

On bilateral relations, Li said China is optimistic about developing economic and trade ties with Slovenia.

In April 1992, China officially recognized Slovenia. The two countries signed a communique establishing diplomatic relations.

In May 1992, the United Nations passed a resolution accepting the Republic of Slovenia as an independent country. China voted for the measure.

(China Daily 06/16/2000)