BEIJING, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government on Monday denounced a report from the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China, saying the charges against it are "groundless".

    "China is strongly dissatisfied with and resolutely refutes the U.S. accusations about China's social and judicial system, ethnic and religious policies as well as human rights situation in its report," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement.

    Qin's comments came in the wake of a report by the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which was released last week.

    The annual report had ignored China's progress and achievements made in the fields of human rights and the legal system, said Qin.

    The Chinese government suggested the U.S. congress and other institutions pay more attention to their own problems, to stop interfering China's internal affairs and to focus on issues more conducive to Sino-U.S. relations, Qin said.

    "We demand that the U.S. government seriously treat the solemn stance of China and take substantive measures to eradicate the adverse impact of the report," he said.

    China has witnessed steady, rapid and sound economic development, and democratic and legal construction have progressed steadily since the Republic of China was founded 57 years ago -- especially since the reform and opening-up drive began, Qin said.

    "The Chinese people have been enjoying unprecedented human rights and basic freedom," the spokesman said.

    The principles of "One Country, Two Systems" and "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" have been fully implemented in Hong Kong, Qin said.

    "Hong Kong's constitutional development and the development of a democratic system have progressed steadily."

    Qin said that Hong Kong has continued to maintain its stability and prosperity.

    "It is obvious to all that the Chinese people are pursuing a path of peaceful development and making concerted efforts to build a harmonious society," the spokesman said. Enditem