International media should abide by the principles of objectivity and justice when they report news stories about China, said a senior official with the State Council Information Office (SCIO) Monday.

China is unsatisfactory about some foreign media's news coverage on China, which was biased and exaggerated, Zhao Qizheng, head of the SCIO, said at the Fortune Global Forum round-table meeting for cultural issues, which was held on Monday in Beijing.

Some of the media took rumors as official information when they report on China, Zhao said.

Some foreign media used to "exaggerate China's growth and help fabricating a theory of 'China Threat,'" and commentaries for such purpose were even more biased than related news, said Zhao.

From ancient times to nowadays, China has never had the thoughts, needs and abilities to encroach on other peoples in the world, he said.

"As for critiques about China's shortcomings, including those in human right issues, China would like to consult them, if they are accurate and well-intended," Zhao said.

"But we are afraid that some media, out of negative considerations, attempt to dig out the so-called facts, yet inaccurate at all, to prove the conclusion that China is not good, which they've already kept in mind," Zhao said.

He said that when he met some foreign friends, more of them expressed their hope for understanding the development trend of China's economy and what opportunities they could share from them.

"The Chinese Government always encourages domestic media to cover China's progress and shortcomings and inspires them to tell the truth and let the readers to make their own judgment," Zhao said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2005)