China Condemns NY Times Wen Jiabao Wealth Story ‘Smear’
China Condemns NY Times Wen Jiabao Wealth Story ‘Smear’
China has condemned as a “smear” a New York Times report saying Premier Wen Jiabao’s relatives have accumulated billions of dollars.
The article said Mr Wen’s family members “have controlled assets worth at least $2.7bn (£1.7bn)”.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said the report had “ulterior motives”.
Both the NYT’s Chinese and English sites are being blocked inside China, as are references to the report on micro-blogging sites.
“Some reports smear China and have ulterior motives,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said when asked about the story in a daily press briefing. On the blocking, he said the internet was managed “in accordance with laws”.