Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks with US Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Condoleezza Rice in Beijing Thursday.

The two sides discussed Sino-US ties and international issues of common concern. Li welcomed Rice, and the advisor transferred greeting from US Secretary of State Colin Powell to Li, sources with the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Rice arrived in Beijing from Tokyo Thursday noon, kicking off her 24-hour visit to China as a guest of Li Zhaoxing.

During her stay here, Chinese leaders, including President Hu Jintao, Chairman of Central Military Commission Jiang Zemin, and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan will meet her. The Taiwan issue is believed to be priority.

It is reported that China is the second leg of Rice's three-nation Asian tour, including Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) as well.

On Wednesday, Rice held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro and Foreign Minister Kawaguchi Yoriko.

Rice is expected to leave Beijing for Seoul Friday noon and then confer ROK leaders on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Rice accompanied US President George W. Bush in a working visit to China in February 2002.

(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2004)