China has been always attaching importance to respecting and guaranteeing human rights, said Xiao Yang, president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC),  in Beijing Monday.

Xiao made the remark while meeting with Dayang Hayati, grand justice of the Brunei Supreme Court. China has made great progress in the protection of human rights and private property in its amended Constitution, said Xiao.

After judicial reform, China's legal and judicial system is more adapted to China's market economy, the international situation since its entry into the World Trade Organization, and the requirements for a socialist legal system, Xiao said.

The visit by the Brunei delegation will push forward the judicial cooperation between the two countries, said Xiao.

Hayati, as guest of the SPC, said Brunei is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in judicial field.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2004)