Don't let dissidents into embassy again: China to US

Accusing the United States of sheltering blind activist in its embassy in Beijing using "abnormal means", China on Monday asked America not to repeat such an incident again in the overall interest of bilateral ties. China termed the incident as "interference" in the internal affairs of the country.

Forty-year-old Chen fled house arrest last month for the US embassy, where he spent six days. He was later shifted to a hospital after Beijing said that he could move to a "safe" location.

But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei declined to answer questions over when Chen and his family would be given passports to travel to the United States.

American officials, however, have been saying that they expect the process to be over by this week so that Chen, who is still admitted to a hospital in Beijing could travel out of the country next week.

"The (Chen) incident showed that the US has interfered with the internal affairs of China," Hong said.

Charging Washington of displaying irresponsible attitude by letting the dissident into its embassy compound, he said the US should draw lesson from the incident and reflect upon its policies and moves and "take necessary measures" to prevent similar incidents.

The crisis blew over after China has agreed to provide passport to Chen, his wife and two children to go to New York University where he was offered a fellowship.

The China-US strategic and economic dialogue, attended by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and US Treasury Secretary Timothey Geithner, held on May 3-4 proceeded smoothly after Beijing's decision to grant travel papers to Chen.