China is open to dialogue and negotiations with other countries on human rights issues, said a senior Chinese legislator in Beijing Monday.

China invited legislators from European countries to visit China in a bid to improve communications and dialogue on human rights issues, said Jiang Zhenghua, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

Jiang refuted the condemnations made by some countries about China's human rights record, saying the criticism is out of ulterior motives.

"China attaches great importance to respecting and protecting human rights in China," said Jiang in meeting with A. S. Anand, chairman of the Indian National Human Rights Commission.

The NPC, China's top legislature, has kept making laws to protect the rights and interests of the Chinese people, especially children, women and 30 million people living under the poverty line, said Jiang.

The human rights situation has improved greatly in recent years, said Jiang, adding the protection of human rights was enshrined in a constitutional amendment last March.

China and India both as developing countries support and understand each other on many international issues, said Jiang, hoping the two countries can enhance exchanges on human rights issues.

Anand is here at the invitation of the China Society for Human Rights Studies.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2005)