China rejected the US State Department's annual report on religious freedom Sunday with "strong displeasure" and "resolute objection."  

Commenting on the International Religious Freedom Report 2003 released by the US State Department, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said the criticism on China's religious policies and freedom situation in the report defied facts and was "extremely unfair and absolutely unreasonable."

"The Chinese side expresses strong displeasure at and resolute objection to this," he noted.

China has been protecting its citizens' religious rights in accordance with the law, Liu said, adding that all ethnic groups and people from all over the country enjoy religious freedom.

In the meantime, the Chinese government bans, in accordance with law, illegal or criminal activities conducted by such organizations or individuals as the Falun Gong cult in the name of religion, the spokesman said, adding all these efforts have been made just for safeguarding and ensuring the religious freedom of all citizens, consequently winning widespread support from the broad masses.

Liu urged the US side to take better care of its own domestic religious freedom instead of always criticizing others and make more efforts conducive to mutual understanding and cooperation between the China and the United States instead of interfering in China's internal affairs under the guise of religious issues.

(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2003)