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.

Communiqué marked

Speaking at a reception yesterday commemorating the 30th anniversary of the issuance of the Shanghai Communiqué, 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 communiqués and handled the Taiwan question properly.

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, one of the architects of the Shanghai Communiqué, said at the reception that the communiqué 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)