China rejects "mistaken remarks" over death of Chinese national

BEIJING - China has voiced strong dissatisfaction at and firm opposition to US and European comments regarding the death of Chinese national Cao Shunli.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing on Monday, "China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the mistaken remarks made by the governments and institutions of the US and Europe on the death of Cao Shunli."p Cao was chronically ill, said Hong.

She was investigated in September on suspicion of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble". She was on bail awaiting trial with restricted liberty of movement in February, Hong added.

Cao died of multiple organ failure caused by tuberculosis and severe pneumonia in a hospital on March 14 after efforts to save her failed, said Hong. "She received conscientious and proactive treatment during her illness and her legal rights were ensured."

China is a country under rule of law, and everyone is equal before the law, said Hong. Each Chinese citizen must strictly abide by the obligations stated in the Constitution and law while enjoying the rights granted by the Constitution and law, the spokesman said. "No one is above the law."

"We oppose relevant countries using the name of human rights to interfere in China's judicial sovereignty and independence," Hong said.

"We hope relevant countries strictly abide by the basic norms of international relations of not interfering in other countries' internal affairs, and stop the interference under all sorts of excuses," he said.