China rejected the US State Department's annual report on
religious freedom Sunday with "strong displeasure" and "resolute
objection."?
Commenting on the International Religious Freedom Report 2003
released by the US State Department, Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesman Liu Jianchao said the criticism on China's religious
policies and freedom situation in the report defied facts and was
"extremely unfair and absolutely unreasonable."
"The Chinese side expresses strong displeasure at and resolute
objection to this," he noted.
China has been protecting its citizens' religious rights in
accordance with the law, Liu said, adding that all ethnic groups
and people from all over the country enjoy religious freedom.
In the meantime, the Chinese government bans, in accordance with
law, illegal or criminal activities conducted by such organizations
or individuals as the Falun Gong cult in the name of religion, the
spokesman said, adding all these efforts have been made just for
safeguarding and ensuring the religious freedom of all citizens,
consequently winning widespread support from the broad masses.
Liu urged the US side to take better care of its own domestic
religious freedom instead of always criticizing others and make
more efforts conducive to mutual understanding and cooperation
between the China and the United States instead of interfering in
China's internal affairs under the guise of religious issues.
(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2003)