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.
 
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said China expresses "strong dissatisfaction" and "firm opposition" to being on the list.
   
This follows the US State Department's labeling of China as one of eight "countries of particular concern" regarding international religious freedom in 2006.
   
"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.
   
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.
   
"We demand the United States respect the truth, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of religion," she said.
   
Jiang urged the US side to promote mutual understanding between the two countries instead of worsening relations.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2006)