Accusations labeled by some overseas organizations and people that China has arrested "dissidents" to ensure the safety and security of the Olympic Games are "groundless", a Beijing Olympic Games spokesman said Monday.
"To ensure a successful Games, and to ensure the safety of athletes and visitors, China has taken a series of necessary, legitimate and reasonable security steps. This falls in line with routines of previous Games and major international sports events," Xinhua quoted the spokesman as saying.
The accusations (of arrest of "dissidents") are "untrue and groundless", he said.
China is committed to protecting human rights and some basic freedoms, including freedom of speech. The rights and freedom enjoyed by the Chinese people in accordance with the law are fully protected, and unbiased people recognize that fact, he said.
China is governed by the rule of law, and the Chinese Constitution clearly states that citizens enjoy freedom of speech, publication, assembly, association and demonstration, he said, and no one will be penalized for just saying something.
Some people have been punished for their illegal activities that violated Chinese laws, and their crimes were proved by courts of law, he said.
He reiterated that China is committed to ensuring media freedom during the Olympics and serving the journalists covering the sports gala.
China will abide by regulations on foreign journalists' reporting from the country in the run up to and during the Olympics, he said.
Under the regulations, effective from Jan 1 last year, Chinese officials will not accompany a foreign journalist while he/she reports on an event or person. Besides, foreign journalists no longer need to apply to provincial foreign affairs offices for permission to report from any of the country's provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.
"The regulations have been well implemented and have won positive remarks from the overseas media," the spokesman said, and pledged that China would continue to help journalists cover the Olympics.
