China calls remarks by the United States, regarding religious intimidation of a Beijing pastor, "groundless" and "irresponsible."

On Thursday, State Department spokesman Robert Wood, said the US was gravely concerned after two sons of Chinese Christian pastor, Zhang Mingxuan, were allegedly beaten by public security staff.

On Saturday, Jiang Yu, spokeswoman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, "We encourage the US to pay more attention to its own human rights problems, instead of viewing itself as a human rights bodyguard interfering in other country's internal affairs."

China is a country ruled by law, she said.

Wood urged China to release Zhang.

Jiang said Chinese citizens enjoy religious freedoms, but nobody can use religion as an excuse to commit crimes.

(Xinhua News Agency October 25, 2008)