BEIJING - China actively advocates international cooperation in the field of human rights, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday.

Spokesman Hong Lei made the remark at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on a report published by Russia on Wednesday about the global human rights situation. The report criticized human rights situations in the United States and the European Union.

Hong said China believes that dialogue and communication in the field of human rights should be based on mutual respect and equality, in order to facilitate mutual learning and understanding.

China has always been opposed to applying double standards to human rights issues, he said.