"Migrant workers have made and are making a great contribution to China's economic growth," Qin said. "The government at all levels and Chinese people have high respect for their labor."

Urbanization and industrialization have led to an estimated 200 million migrant workers moving to cities looking for jobs, according to Qin.

Amnesty International yesterday released a report stating China's migrant workers are becoming an "urban underclass" without proper health care, often live in cramped conditions and have few labor rights.

"China's so-called economic miracle comes at a terrible human cost," the report said.

"Amnesty's claim is biased and groundless," Qin said.

Acknowledging that workers' rights had been abused "in some places and sectors in China," Qin said the government is working to eradicate mistreatment.

Meanwhile, Qin also refuted the so-called "China threat" theory yesterday. Qin said China spends a certain amount on defense to defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is not for overseas expansion, Qin added.