China rebuffed the EU's criticism on arrest of so-called "human rights activists", saying it opposed foreign countries interfering in its domestic affairs.

"China is a country under the rule of law, and handles relevant issues strictly in accordance with laws. We opposed foreign countries to interfere in China's domestic affairs," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao while commenting on the EU's criticism.

France, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, issued a chairman statement on Tuesday criticizing China about the arrest of so-called "human rights activists".

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2008)