Q: The US State Department recently released a report entitled Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2004-2005, in which the human rights situation in China and 97 other countries and regions was criticized. This is the third consecutive year that the US released such reports. What's your comment?

A: The so-called report of the US State Department once again made the cliché criticism on the Chinese Government and smear China's human rights. We are firmly opposed to it.

The Chinese Government adheres to the principles of governing for the interest of people and putting people in the first place. It has done a great amount of work in protecting human rights, expanding democracy and enhancing the rule of law. Its achievements in these regards are obvious to all.

The US side should cease to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries by using human rights as excuses. It should pay more attention to its own human rights problems and correct their wrong practices of confrontation.