China rejected the U.S. President Barack Obama's remarks in a statement marking World Press Freedom Day on Monday, urging the U.S. to stop intervening in its press freedom.

Ma Zhaoxu, spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that the Chinese government protected freedom of speech according to law, and had brought the public and media's supervision into full play.

"China's news cause has achieved remarkable development since its reform and opening up to the outside world 30 years ago, with the number of press staff increased and their rights and interests protected," said Ma.

"We urge the U.S to respect the facts and China's jurisdiction, view China's press freedom correctly, and stop intervening in China's press freedom," Ma stressed.

Ma's remarks came in the wake of Obama's statement marking World Press Freedom Day on May 1.

Obama said in the statement that journalists were being harassed or jailed in countries including China, Cuba, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2009)