US Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived in Beijing Sunday afternoon for a two-day visit to China.

Colin Powell's visit to China is "very important" and can "advance Sino-US relations," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue earlier at a press conference.

China expects "to have an extensive exchange of views" with the United States on Sino-US relations and other issues, such as the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula and anti-terrorism, during Powell's visit, according to Zhang.

She said Chinese leaders will talk about the Taiwan issue during Powell's visit, reiterating that the Taiwan issue remains "the most important and sensitive" issue in Sino-US relations.

"It is up to the Chinese people themselves to resolve problems across the Taiwan Strait," Zhang said.

Zhang added that the Chinese government highly values the development of constructive and cooperative Sino-US relations.

Such a relationship is important to both, in the interests of the two peoples and of vital importance for the maintenance of peace, stability and development in Asia and the world at large, she said.

Powell left Washington on Friday for his Asia tour to Japan, China and the Republic of Korea.

(Xinhua News Agency October 25, 2004)