US Interferes in China's Domestic Affairs by Criticizing Rights Activists' Trial

By criticizing the trial of Chinese rights activists Washington interferes in Beijing's domestic affairs and judicial sovereignty, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — US Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner has condemned the sentencing of Chinese lawyers and rights activists to prison as "politically motivated."

The accusations brought by Washington are groundless, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying was quoted by the Xinhua news agency as saying, urging the United States to stop making "irresponsible" remarks.

On July 9, 2015, Beijing launched a so called 709 crackdown against human rights activists and lawyers named after the day of its start. Some 300 people were detained during the campaign, although the majority was later released.

Earlier this week, a number of prominent Chinese activists and lawyers were tried on accusations of "state power subversion" and sentenced to various prison terms.