ICC NOTE: In a not so surprising move, the Chinese government has lodged a formal diplomatic protest against the U.S. government regarding USCIRF’s statements on the countries religious freedom record. They are calling on the U.S. to “objectively and justly” look at their record when referring to religious freedom issues in the Communist nation. It seems the Chinese government has decided to once again sweep religious persecution under the proverbial rug as stories like Ding Cuimei and the cross demolitions must not resonate. Unless China addresses its campaign to whitewash Christianity and continue to persecute religious minorities, organizations like USCIRF and ICC will continue to address the severity of their actions and inaction’s.
5/6/2016 China (Reuters) – China has lodged a diplomatic protest with the United States after a U.S. government commission said Chinese violations of religious freedom last year remained “severe”, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a bipartisan U.S. federal government body, said in a report this week that there were “systematic, egregious and ongoing abuses” in China against Christians, Buddhists, Muslims and others.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China fully respected religious freedom. But year in, year out, the United States attacked China on religion, ignoring the facts and distorting the situation.
“China is resolutely opposed to this and has already lodged stern representations with the U.S. side,” he told a daily news briefing.
“We demand the U.S. side objectively and justly view China’s religious policy and Chinese citizens’ freedom of belief and stop using the religious issue to interfere in China’s internal affairs,” Hong added.
“The U.S. side should reflect more on its own problems and not always gesticulate about other countries.”
The report urged the U.S. Department of State to re-designate China’s government as a top-tier violator, along with eight other countries, including Myanmar, Iran, North Korea and Saudi Arabia.
