``Both sides should work in concert to remove disturbances and promote the continued growth of Sino-US ties,'' he said rejecting US criticism of Beijing's rights record as ``interference in China's internal affairs.''But Albright's broadside against Beijing's rights record minutes before the crucial meeting made it clear that the rights issue would be one of the major subjects of her talks with Chinese officials.

``The issue of human rights is going to be one of the major subjects that I take up... We have deplored the actions that have taken place recently and I will raise these issues,'' Albright, who arrivedhere last night, said. Albright will hold talks with her Chinese counterpart for two days to prepare ground for Premier Zhu Rongji's proposed visit to Washington in April.

``Given the differences in national conditions, history and values, we think that these differences (between Beijing and Washington) should be narrowed and common ground expanded through dialogue and consultation,'' Tang said.``However, with some major issues that have a direct bearing on China's national interests, sovereignty and territorial integrity... we'll express very fully and explicitly our position and propositions on these issues,'' he said. Tang was also critical of anti-China forces in Washington and said their acts run against the trend of aspirations and interests of the general public of the US, adding ``their acts are doomed to failure.''

Death for defiance

China has executed 10 people for involvement in separatist unrest in the northwest Muslim region of Xinjiang, a court official said on Monday. ``Theauthorities between January 27 and 29 executed 10 people and two were given suspended death sentences,'' an official at the Nilka district court in Yili prefecture said. Two others were given suspended death sentences and many sentenced to between one and 15 years' imprisonment.