Chinese authorities reprimanded the United States for...

Chinese authorities reprimanded the United States for what it called "double standards" on human rights, after the US State Department accused China of "backsliding on key human rights issues." The State Department report on human rights in 2003 recognised China's "incremental but unprecedented progress" on human rights in 2002, but said the situation had deteriorated in 2003. Chinese officials responded strongly to the report, saying the United States should not interfere in China's internal affairs. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue remarked that "China hopes the United States can treat its progress and achievements on human rights objectively and correctly, and correct its mistaken submission of such reports." The Chinese government had long maintained that the protection of individual rights was not as important as the general well being of Chinese society.