A Chinese
Foreign
Ministry spokesman yesterday expressed the nation's "strong
dissatisfaction and firm opposition" to US criticism of China's
human rights conditions.
Spokesman Kong Quan told a regular briefing that the US State
Department's annual report on China's human rights situation "has
made up stories, confused right and wrong, attacked China's
judicial system, policies on ethnic minorities and human rights
conditions."
The US report criticized China for repressing the religious freedom
and limiting the rights of ethnic minorities in the excuse of
cracking down on terrorism.
Kong said the Chinese Government has devoted itself to the
promotion and protection of human rights and basic freedom of its
people. He also called to attention the violation of human rights
in the US.
"The US Government has turned a blind eye to violations (in the US)
while wantonly distorting the human rights conditions in other
countries and made irresponsible remarks about their internal
affairs," said Kong, terming it as having "ulterior motive."
"The double standards adopted by the US on human rights and ethnic
minorities will continue to be disdained and firmly opposed by
people who uphold justice worldwide," he added.
"We ask the US to respect the basic norms of international
relations, correct wrong practices and stop interfering in China's
internal affairs using the excuse of so-called human rights
issues."
The spokesman also welcomed dialogue between Iraqi Foreign Minister
Naji Sabri and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday.
Calling it a "positive" sign, Kong reiterated China's stance that
the Iraq issue should be solved on the basis of UN Security Council
resolutions and through political and diplomatic channels.
Kong confirmed that the friction between India and Pakistan was a
topic during bilateral consultations, adding both countries are
working to ease tension in the region. "We believe such
consultations are very beneficial," said Kong.
Concerning the recent setback suffered by the US in its battles
with the Taliban, Kong reiterated the importance of lasting
efforts.
"China firmly supports the crackdown on international terrorism and
backs international co-operation in the fight," said Kong.
Communiqui marked
Speaking at a reception yesterday commemorating the 30th
anniversary of the issuance of the Shanghai Communiqui, Chinese
Ambassador to the United States Yang Jiechi said in Washington that
Sino-US relations will develop on a healthy and steady basis if the
two countries abide by the guiding principles of the three joint
communiquis and handled the Taiwan question properly.
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, one of the architects
of the Shanghai Communiqui, said at the reception that the
communiqui reflected the common interests of the two great
countries.
Despite ups and downs, US-China relations have been moving forward
as a whole during the past 30 years, Kissinger said.
(China
Daily March 6, 2002)