China Denounces Seven Summit Nations

BEIJING--China denounced the seven leading industrialized nations yesterday for their "gross interference" in calling on Chinese authorities to stop the crackdown on participants in pro-democracy protests.

Instead, the government made clear it plans to continue rounding up anyone involved in the seven weeks of protests for freedom, democratic reform and cleaner government. A report in the Communist Party newspaper, the People's Daily, said those who surrender will get lenient treatment.

"All hesitation is useless," it said. "Surrendering, thoroughly confessing [and] doing meritorious work...is the only way out for all criminals."

The strongly worded message to the Group of Seven echoed earlier Chinese reaction to sanctions individually imposed by some of the seven, including the United States and France, after the Chinese army crushed the protests June 3-4.

The Foreign Ministry expressed "great regret" over the Paris summit's statement, which it said "violates the most basic criterion of diplomatic relations."

"China absolutely cannot accept this," said the statement, which was read on a state TV.

In a front-page editorial, the People's Daily called on the Group of Seven to consider China's "global strategic importance" and potential as a market.

The Group of Seven statement, it said, made "groundless charges, which only represent gross interference in China's internal affairs."

The seven nations--the United States, Great Britain, West Germany, Italy, France, Japan and Canada--included their comments on China in a communique issued at the end of their summit.

"We urge the Chinese authorities to cease action against those who have done no more than claim their legitimate rights to democracy and liberty," it said. It also urged the World Bank to postpone examining new loans to China.

More than 200 civilians were killed by official count in the army attack on protesters and supporters. Western intelligence sources said as many as 3000 may have died. Thousands have been arrested nationwide and at least 12 have been executed.

The Foreign Ministry lodged a separate protest with France for having allowed Chinese students in Paris to march in Friday's parade for the bicentennial of the French Revolution. The students carried a large banner reading, "We Carry On," in implied support for their Beijing classmates.

For years, China crafted its own foreign policy with a heavy ideological content, but in the past decade it has shifted to a more hard-nosed policy based on practical interests. Foreign investment and technology are now key to its modernization program.

But the People's Daily said foreign sanctions would only encourage a spirit of self-reliance.

It also warned Hong Kong residents who try to help the mainland democracy movement that they should not "lift a rock only to crush their own feet." The British colony reverts to Chinese rule in 1997.

In other developments, the party's Central Disciplinary Inspection Commission issued a strong warning against corruption by party members in state-run factories, and businesses. In a 10-minute report that opened the national television news, the commission ordered party officials to "raise the ideological quality of party members" and impose stricter discipline.

Beijing city officials announced yesterday that they had expelled 77 party members since January for corruption, and Shanghai announced three expulsions.

Other local governments have announced hundreds more to try to convince the public that the party is cleaning up its ranks.