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US criticisms on religion rejected

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-13 18:53

China dismissed U.S. resolutions criticizing it for religious persecution on Tuesday, saying it was based on "groundless accusations" and constituted interference in its internal affairs.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved resolutions on Monday that condemned what it said were escalating levels of religious persecution in China and rejected the state-sponsored ordination of Catholic leaders.

"Chinese citizens enjoy full and broad freedom of religious belief in accordance with the law," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a news conference, adding that China expressed its "strong dissatisfaction" with the resolutions.

"We advise some in the United States Congress to pay more attention their own problems and think about how to resolve their own human rights issues," Jiang said.

The United States has been taking an increasing interest in China's religious affairs, with President George W. Bush attending a Christian service in Beijing during his visit in November and hosting Chinese Christian dissidents at the White House in May.