China refuted in Beijing on Monday a recent US report listing
China as a "country of particular concern" regarding religious
freedom, saying the move constitutes blatant interference in the
country's internal affairs.
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Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said China expresses "strong
dissatisfaction" and "firm opposition" to being on the list.
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This follows the US State Department's labeling of China as one of
eight "countries of particular concern" regarding international
religious freedom in 2006.
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"The United States' action violates the basic rules of
international relations, and constitutes a rude intervention in the
internal affairs of another country," Jiang said.
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The Chinese government has always guaranteed its citizens' right to
religious freedom in accordance with the law, she said. People in
China enjoy broad and adequate freedom of religious belief, Jiang
added.
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"We demand the United States respect the truth, and stop
interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of
religion," she said.
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Jiang urged the US side to promote mutual understanding between the
two countries instead of worsening relations.
(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2006)