US criticisms on religion rejected (Reuters) Updated: 2006-06-13 18:53 China dismissed U.S. resolutions criticizing it
for religious persecution on Tuesday, saying it was based on "groundless
accusations" and constituted interference in its internal affairs.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved resolutions on Monday that
condemned what it said were escalating levels of religious persecution in China
and rejected the state-sponsored ordination of Catholic leaders.
"Chinese citizens enjoy full and broad freedom of religious belief in
accordance with the law," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a news
conference, adding that China expressed its "strong dissatisfaction" with the
resolutions.
"We advise some in the United States Congress to pay more attention their own
problems and think about how to resolve their own human rights issues," Jiang
said.
The United States has been taking an increasing interest in China's religious
affairs, with President George W. Bush attending a Christian service in Beijing
during his visit in November and hosting Chinese Christian dissidents at the
White House in May.
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