China would welcome a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice at an appropriate time, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Thursday.

Qin was responding to a question on whether China was scheduled to receive Rice imminently.

"We would welcome U.S.Secretary of State Rice's visit at an appropriate time to discuss Sino-U.S. relations and issues of common concern," Qin said.

Rice previously visited China in her capacity as US secretary of state in March and July last year.

Source: Xinhua