China angrily removed human rights from the U.S.-China agenda last spring when the United States introduced a resolution critical of Beijing before the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva.

Powell told reporters after high-level discussions here that the two countries ''will start talks about resuming our human rights dialogue.'' He said he wants official discussions to touch on U.S. concerns about the detention of journalists and restrictions on civil liberties, among other issues.

On Taiwan, Powell reaffirmed the U.S. view that China should welcome a recent offer by Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian to reopen political discussions with China. But the Chinese, mistrustful of Chen because of his moves toward independence, rejected Powell's appeals, said a U.S. official who accompanied Powell in the discussions.

China has said a dialogue with Taiwan will be possible only after the island agrees it is part of China.

In Taipei, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Mark Chen urged China to take Powell's advice to resolve its differences with Taiwan through dialogue. He told reporters that Powell ''emphasized that the U.S. would sell weapons to us, but in addition to keeping bilateral military balance, the cross-Strait question should be resolved in a peaceful way through dialogue.''

Powell, who arrived here from Japan on Sunday night, met separately with President Hu Jintao, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

During Powell's discussions, China reaffirmed its strong opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. Powell said all weapons transfers to the island are for defensive purposes only.

There was no shortage of issues for the two sides to discuss. A Powell aide counted 29 raised during his meetings.

He flew to South Korea in the afternoon.

On North Korea, Chinese officials told Powell they believe it is possible for six-nation negotiations on nuclear disarmament to resume in the next few months. North Korea boycotted a meeting that was to have taken place in September. The six nations are the United States, China, Japan, Russia and the two Koreas.

The North Korea question was expected to dominate Powell's discussions in South Korea. Powell planned a meeting this morning with President Roh Moo-Hyun, whose policy of reaching out to North Korea contrasts sharply with the more confrontational U.S. approach.