IOC President Jacques Rogge said China should respect its "moral engagement" to improve human rights and provide news media with greater freedom, The New York Times (NYSE:NYT) reported.

Chinese government officials dismissed Rogge's rare criticism made during a news conference in Beijing

"I believe IOC officials support the Beijing Olympics and adherence to the Olympic charter of not bringing in any irrelevant political factors," Jiang Yu, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said.

Committee members also criticized demonstrators using the relay to publicize issues ranging from Tibetan religious freedom to environmental concerns.

"These are not the friendly demonstrators for a free Tibet, but professional demonstrators, the ones who show up at G-8 conferences to be seen and fight," Gunilla Lindberg said.

Asked if he regretted awarding the Games to Beijing, Rogge said he thought it was compelling to have the Olympics in a country housing a fifth of the world's population.

"It is very easy with hindsight to criticize the decision," he said. "It's easy to say now that this was not a wise and sound decision."