China called it a "correct" and "wise" decision that a US court has dropped a slander case against Chinese leaders.

Speaking to reporters, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said the case brought by Falun Gong, a banned cult in China, attempted to make use of the US judicial system to slander Chinese leaders and the government.

Earlier, the federal court for the Northern District in the US State of Illinois decided to cancel the case.

Under international law and the principles guiding relations among nations, judicial institutions in one country have no power over another sovereign state.

Kong Quan said the ruling is a right move, and it will help Sino-US ties keep up the good momentum of development.

(People's Daily September 16, 2003)