The differences on human rights between China and the European Union and the talks on China's entry into the World Trade Organization between the two sides are separate, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao.

He made the remarks here today at the regular press conference in response to a question about whether the recent EP resolution on China's human rights would have any impact on the China-EU talks on China's entry into the WTO.

He said that the two issues are not directly related, adding that the two sides have made substantive progress in the talks concerning China's WTO bid.

Speaking on the human rights issue, he commented that China hopes that the EU will conduct substantial dialogue with the Chinese side on the basis of equality and mutual respect, and stressed that confrontation will lead to nowhere.

Zhu said that the two sides will continue the WTO talks in Beijing this month and that China hopes for an early conclusion ofan agreement in this regard, and that it will be helpful to the further development of Sino-European trade relationship.