Beijing criticised the US yesterday for granting asylum to a Falun Gong practitioner from the mainland.
Xinhua quoted Foreign Ministry official Zhang Qiyue as saying China had 'voiced its indignation and opposition' over the move, adding that it had made 'representations' to the United States about the issue.
In Washington, the State Department said it did not discuss individual cases.
According to law firm Madeo and Fasano in New York, asylum was granted to Chen Rong, 17, last week.
'The asylum was based upon the fact that Ms Chen would face persecution, including prison and torture, for practising Falun Gong, at the hands of the Chinese Government if she returned to China,' the firm said.
It was not clear if the case would set a precedent for other Falun Gong practitioners to seek asylum in the US.
