"We believe that high-level dialogue and contact between China and the United States will be conducive to mutual understanding and promote cooperation," said Zhang at a regular briefing.

But the spokeswoman did not reveal what topics will be discussed during Hu's meetings with US officials, saying details are still under consultation.

Hu is scheduled to visit the United States between April 27 and May 3 following a visit to Malaysia and Singapore.

In another development, Zhang said Sino-US joint committees on science and technology, and on commerce and trade, will hold meetings in Beijing later this month.

The meeting of the Sino-US joint committee on science and technology, scheduled for April 25 and 26, will touch upon issues such as the mechanism and methods of bilateral scientific and technological cooperation.

It will also look at cooperation on the environment, energy resources, agricultural sciences, life sciences and scientific education.

Officials from the two countries will discuss their trade relations at a late April meeting of the Sino-US joint committee on commerce and trade, according to Zhang.

The spokeswoman announced yesterday that Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan will attend the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Moscow on April 26.

The meeting, focusing on the preparatory work for the organization's summit in June, will include discussions on the regional and international situations and the development of the organization, according to Zhang.

She added the meeting will help ensure the success of the June summit and promote the organization's development and cooperation.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization -- founded last June in Shanghai -- groups China, Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Zhang also said members of the organization are consulting on the charter of the organization, which is expected to set down the purpose, direction of cooperation, its make-up and functioning.

Turning to the suicide bombing in Jerusalem last Friday that killed two Chinese and injured another two, Zhang said the Chinese government is contacting the relevant departments in Israel.

Taking note of the Israeli proposal for a US-led conference, she said Palestine and Arafat in particular should be included in the meeting.

Zhang also said China is glad the situation in Venezuela is stabilizing.

(China Daily April 17, 2002)