China lashes out at US human rights report

    China voiced its strong dissatisfaction with the United States after the State Department issued a report condemning China's human rights record.

    The "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2005" is untruthful and crude, Qin said.

    The report, issued Wednesday, criticized the political system of Hong Kong and its restrictions on journalism.

    Qin said that China's Constitution respects and safeguards human rights. The Chinese government adheres to a policy it calls "putting people above everything else," he said, and has made many efforts toward building a democratic country under the rule of law.

    Human rights in China have kept improving, he added.

    "China's progress in this regard have been recognized and welcomed by the whole world, and the Chinese people are satisfied with the progress," said Qin.

    The spokesman said the Chinese government has not deviated from its policy of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and supports democratic development in the HKSAR in accordance with its unique circumstances.

    Hong Kong citizens have enjoyed their full legal rights and basic freedoms, Qin added.

    "We disapprove of any foreign governments or organizations making wanton comments on the issue," Qin said.

    Qin urged the U.S. government to stop interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, yet said "The U.S. side should focus more on its own human rights problems."

    "Its various human rights violations and double standards on the issue have drawn increasingly strong criticism from its own people and the international society," the spokesman said.

    Russian President Putin to visit China

    Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to China from March 21 to 22 at the invitation of President Hu Jintao, Qin announced.

    President Putin will also attend the opening ceremonies of the Year of Russia and a Sino-Russian business summit forum, according to Qin.

    During the visit, the spokesman said, Hu and Putin will hold talks and exchange views on furthering increase bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership and major international and regional issues.

    Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, and Premier Wen Jiabao will also meet with Putin respectively.

    Besides, a series of bilateral cooperative documents will be signed during the visit, said Qin.

    He said that China and Russia enjoy a "very good" strategic and cooperative partnership and bilateral cooperation is "all-dimensional", including energy cooperation as an important area.

    The mutually-beneficial and win-win Sino-Russian energy cooperation conforms to the interests of both sides and the Chinese side will work with the Russian side to make joint efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation in this regard, said the spokesman.

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