BEIJING - A foreign ministry spokesman on Thursday slammed a US report involving China, urging the US side to stop issuing such "groundless remarks" against the nation.

Spokesman Hong Lei made the appeal at a regular press briefing when commenting on the annual report issued by the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China.

China hopes the commission would respect facts, forsake prejudices and stop behaviors and words that interfere with China's internal affairs and harm bilateral ties, Hong said.

The Chinese government puts people first and governs for the people, while protecting and promoting Chinese citizens' rights in accordance with the law, Hong said, adding that China has achieved remarkable progress in this regard.

In regards to China-related issues touched on by U.S. presidential candidates in the process of their campaigns, Hong said China has noted relevant remarks.

The U.S. side should truly respect and objectively view China's development, and do more things conducive to creating closer mutual trust and cooperation in a responsible way, Hong said, noting that such moves will also be in the fundamental interests of the United States.

It is the common cause for China and the United States to build a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit and to shape a new type of relationship between major powers, he said.