BEIJING (AP) — China criticized Thursday a U.S. congressional resolution that opposes holding the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. It says the resolution violates Olympics ideals.
The resolution, introduced Wednesday in the House of Representatives by critics of Beijing, cited China's "abominable human rights record" and said it should not be allowed to hold the Games.
"We don't think it is compatible with Olympic ideals to discriminate against any country . . . because of religion, human rights or any other political issues," Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi said.
The nonbinding resolution is co-sponsored by both Republicans and Democrats. A similar measure is due to be introduced in the U.S. Senate.
Beijing's rivals for the Games are Toronto; Paris; Osaka, Japan, and Istanbul, Turkey. The International Olympic Committee is to select the host July 13.