China's foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday at a press conference that China opposes United States official's recent "irresponsible" remarks about the anti-secession law being made by the National People's Congress.

A US White House spokesman recently said that China's anti-secession law is "unhelpful" towards cross-Strait relations between China's mainland and Taiwan.

When asked to comment on this remark, Kong said this law reflects "Chinese people's greatest sincerity to fulfill the reunification through peaceful means." It also demonstrates "their determination of not allowing Taiwan independence forces to separate Taiwan from China in any excuses and through any means."

"This has been understood and supported extensively by the international community," he said.

US officials should not make such irresponsible remarks on "China's relevant law-making actions," Kong said. He also said that China "demands" that the United States abide by international relations principles, understand and support China's law-making actions and not do anything that will "foster Taiwan independence separatist activity" and harm China-US relations.

"The United States should safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait region and the healthy development of China-US relations through actual practice," he said.

Under the proposed law, "non-peaceful means" will be used only as a "last resort" when all efforts to seek a peaceful reunification prove to be futile.

US Secretary of State to visit China

United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit to China March 20 and 21 as guest of Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Kong said.

During her first China tour since becoming the top US diplomat in January, Rice will exchange views with Chinese leaders and Li on bilateral ties and issues of common concern, according to Kong.

She will discuss with Chinese officials about the six-party talks over the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Kong noted.

He said the six-party talks has met difficulties and that he hoped "all concerned parties" would work to restart the talks.

Kong said he hoped China and the United States would increase mutual understanding, expand consensus and reduce disputes, in a bid to push forward the China-US strategic partnership.

Foreign Minister Li to visit Europe

The spokesman also announced that Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will pay an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luxemburg, Italy, Albania, and the European Union Headquarters.

Li is also to co-preside with the Italian Foreign Minister the first Joint Meeting of the China-Italy Governmental Committee.

During his visit to Brussels, Li will also meet with the Belgian leaders, he said.

Chinese envoy's trip to US

Kong also briefed the press on Chinese Ambassador to Korean Peninsula Affairs Ning Fukui's ongoing US trip. Ning left here Tuesday for the United States to consult with US officials about the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Kong said Ning will meet with Michael Green, US National Security Council's senior director for Asia, Joseph R. DeTrani, a US State Department special envoy for Korean affairs, and Christopher Hill, US top nuclear negotiator to exchange views on how to resume six-party talks at an early date.