Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue told reporters at press conference on December 7 that China strongly opposed the US government's decision to impose sanctions against China in accordance with its International Religious Freedom Act.

According to Zhang, the Chinese side has consistently opposed interference into internal affairs of other countries in the name of protecting religion.

In disregard of the solemn representations and strong opposition of the Chinese side, Zhang said, the US government has "distorted facts, made unjustifiable attacks upon the Chinese government, and even gone so far as to impose sanctions against the Chinese side".

It constitutes a serious violation of the basic norms governing international relations and a gross interference in China's internal affairs, said the spokeswoman.

"The Chinese side demands that the US side correct its mistake immediately, and reverse its decision on the sanctions and remove the adverse impact that the decision has made upon bilateral relations with concrete actions," Zhang said.