She stated that the US acting Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights Michael Parmly announced on Tuesday that the US will stage a bill on China's human rights on the 57th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

She pointed out that the Chinese Government and people are firmly opposed to such a deed of the US which interferes in China's internal affairs by using the so-called human rights issue.

She noted that the Chinese Government has always respected the international communities' universal principles on human rights, and in accordance with China's domestic situations, made positive efforts to promote and protect Chinese people's human rights and basic freedom with great and remarkable achievements.

The various criticisms of the US on China on the excuse of so-called human rights issue are totally unreasonable and with ulterior motives, the spokeswoman noted.

China has always advocated that on the basis of equality and mutual respect, disputes over human rights issue among different countries should be treated and solved through dialogue and exchanges, said Zhang.

Confrontations can only interfere in the international human rights cause, and will not be of any help to the development of bilateral relations, she added.

"We hope that the US change its ways and return to the right track of dialogue," she concluded.

27

The Chinese government is reeducating Falun Gong practitioners who have violated relevant laws within China's legal framework, a Chinese anti-cult official said in Beijing Tuesday.

Liu Jing, head of a newly set anti-cult office under the State Council, told a press conference that a number of Falun Gong followers are put under reeducation through labor, not simply because they practiced Falun Gong, but because they have committed slight crimes of violating law and order.

"China's well-established system of reeducation through labor is fully within the country's legal framework. We use it as a special means to reassimilate law violators into society," Liu said.

When asked for comments on the overseas Falun Gong organization 's denial of the cult identity of the five people, who set themselves ablaze on Tian'anmen Square last month, Liu said, "It is worth noticing that Li Hongzhi, the cult leader, and his accomplices have recently changed their explanations for the tragic event. Li Hongzhi's foxy statements constitute the best proof for the unforgivable crimes he has committed."

The Office for the Prevention and Handling of Evil Cults under the State Council was established in September 2000, responsible for coordinating China's anti-cult efforts and exchanging views with foreign counterparts on related issues.

(People's Daily 02/27/2001)