China Lashes Back at U.S. Criticism

A Chinese woman is roughly detained by a Chinese policeman and a plainclothes on Tiananmen Square across from the Great Hall of the People where China's legislature are meeting this week in Beijing, China

BEIJING Mar 9, 2006 (AP)— China on Thursday lashed out against U.S. criticism of its human rights record, saying racial discrimination and crime were still rife in the United States and prisoners were being abused at U.S.-run detention centers abroad.

The State Council, China's cabinet, denounced the United States for what it said were rampant violence and widespread discrimination against minorities especially blacks in its annual response to the State Department's report on human rights worldwide.

"For a long time, the life and security of the people of the United States has not been under efficient protection," the Chinese report said.

Blacks are given heavier criminal penalties, arrested more frequently and are more likely to be targeted for hate crimes, the report said.

"You know what, I think they're right. I'm moving my family to China right away."