China on Thursday 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, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a regular press conference.

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.

Source: Xinhua