China denies beating journalist

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BEIJING, March 7 (UPI) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi Monday dismissed reports that foreign journalists had been beaten up by police.

Addressing a news conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing, Yang commented on reports that the latest Chinese crackdown to stop any anti-government protests had also targeted foreign journalists, including the beating of one reporter.

"China is a country under the rule of law, and we abide by the law. We have always followed relevant laws and regulations in managing the affairs related to foreign journalists in China," Yang said.

But Yang said foreign journalists should abide by Chinese laws and regulations in their reporting, the official state news agency Xinhua reported.

He also said he had not noticed any signs of tension in China, which reportedly is anxious to prevent anti-government protests similar to those sweeping the Middle East and North Africa.

"What I have seen is that the Chinese people had a joyful Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival. Now we are busy doing our work, focusing our attention on pursuing domestic development," he said.

"We don't want to see anyone make something out of thin air," Yang said, while acknowledging the road ahead for China will not be smooth, Xinhua reported.