China said today day that "ulterior motives" were behind some criticism of its actions in Sudan, and that the problems there should not be linked with this summer's Olympics in Beijing.
The comments from the Foreign Ministry spokesman came a day after Hollywood director Steven Spielberg's decision to drop out as a Beijing Olympics adviser on human rights grounds.
"It is understandable if some people do not understand the Chinese government policy on Darfur, but I am afraid that some people may have ulterior motives, and this we cannot accept," the spokesman said.
Spielberg was artistic adviser to the opening and closing ceremonies for the Beijing Games but said yesterday he will not participate because he felt China was not doing enough to pressure Sudan into ending the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region.
Chinese officials have consistently said they opposed any attempt to "politicise" the Olympics, which begin on August 8th.
The spokesman said China was working with the United Nations to resolve the crisis and providing aid to Sudan. "China is also concerned about the humanitarian issues there, but we have been playing a positive and constructive role in promoting peace in Darfur."
Fighting between government-backed militia and rebels in Darfur has killed more than 200,000 people and left an estimated 2.5 million displaced since 2003.
China is believed to have special influence with the Islamic regime because it buys two-thirds of the country's oil exports while selling it weapons and defending Khartoum in the UN Security Council.
"While China's representatives have conveyed to me that they are working to end the terrible tragedy in Darfur, the grim realities of the suffering continue unabated," Spielberg said in a statement.
AP