The Foreign Ministry said yesterday it hoped 'rumours' of illegal Chinese contributions to US political campaigns would not spoil the long-anticipated state visit by Vice-President Al Gore in less than two weeks.
Ministry spokesman Cui Tiankai advised the Vice-President to ignore media critics and 'come to have a look at China'.
'I think our bilateral ties should not be affected by rumours,' Mr Cui said.
'There have been rumours in the American press that China did this or that, but eventually these will all prove to be untrue,' he insisted.
The Washington Post has alleged China attempted to funnel illegal cash contributions into the 1996 political campaigns of several US legislators.
China has dismissed the accusation as 'slander'.
