A prominent Chinese religious leader Monday refuted the allegation by the U.S. State Department that religious persecution is increasing in China.

The U.S. State Department made the allegation against China in its human rights report for the year 1999.

Han Wenzao, President of the China Christian Council, told a press conference in the Chinese Embassy in Washington that Chinese people enjoy religious freedom as guaranteed in the constitution.

He said that religious freedom in China has not been affected by China's crackdown on the Falungong cult.

(CRI 2000/06/08)