China Thursday brushed aside queries about why it censored the translation of US President Barack Obama's inauguration speech, which deleted his references to communism and regimes that quash dissent.
"I'm not aware of the issue you mentioned, but I think the Chinese media have their own editing rights," foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told reporters.
State-run China Central Television broadcast Obama's speech live but, when the translator mentioned communism, the channel suddenly cut to an awkwardly smiling news anchor who was clearly unprepared for the camera.
In his speech, Obama recalled that "earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions."
He also referred to regimes which clung to power through corruption, deceit and the silencing of dissent — a sensitive issue for China, where many dissidents languish in prison or are under police surveillance.
This excerpt did not make it past Chinese censors, either, with major Internet portals and the Communist Party's mouthpiece, the People's Daily newspaper, deleting it.
Jiang also launched a staunch defence of China's human rights record.
"China respects and protects human rights, this is enshrined in China's constitution," she said.
"China has made a lot of progress that has been noticed by the entire world."
China is regularly criticised for its human rights record, with campaigners pointing to the jailing of dissidents and reporters who dare to speak out against the government.
