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Hu Jintao leaves on five-nation tour

BEIJING: Chinese President Hu Jintao left here on Tuesday afternoon on state visits to the United States, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Nigeria and Kenya.

Mr. Hu's visit is at the invitation of U.S. President George W. Bush, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, King Mohammed of Morocco, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.

Entourage

Mr. Hu's entourage includes his wife Liu Yongqing, State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister in charge of the State Development and Reform Commission Ma Kai, Commerce Minister Bo Xilai, Director of the Policy Research Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Wang Huning, Deputy Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee Ling Jihua, Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Director of the President's Office Chen Shiju.

Call for mutual respect

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said both China and the U.S. should hold dialogue on human rights based on equality and mutual respect. To a reporter's question on Mr. Hu's visit to the U.S., Qin Gang said Mr. Hu woud explain the position on human rights if the topic is raised.

``We oppose confrontation and interference in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights,'' Mr. Qin said.

He said China and the U.S. shared common ground which focuses on the protection and promotion of human rights. He noted that China was willing to have dialogue also with other countries. — Xinhua

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