Q: It is reported that the US human rights group Freedom House recently issued the 2007 Freedom of the Press: A Global Survey of Media Independence, criticizing the situation of press freedom in China and rating China as "not free" in this aspect. What is your comment on this?

A: Such kind of criticism is ridiculous and not worth commenting on.

Freedom of speech and publication of its citizens are protected in China by law. The Chinese media enjoy sufficient freedom in reporting. Meanwhile, like in any other countries of rule of law, the Chinese media should conduct their work within the scope of the Constitution and law.