China said on Thursday there is nothing wrong for the China Daily newspaper to publish a four-page section in Sunday’s edition of the Des Moines Register, Iowa’s largest newspaper.

Geng Shuang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said at a press briefing on Thursday that the US government is “not real and far-fetched” for alleging that China Daily, China's national English-language newspaper, used sponsored reports to influence American peasants.

It’s common practice and in compliance with US laws that foreign media agencies cooperate with  their local counterparts. It’s obvious which country often meddles in other nations’ domestic affairs, said Geng.

It’s been China’s diplomatic tradition not to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, which has won international praise. “We urge the US to stop groundless accusations against China,” added Geng.

(Compiled by Bai Yuanqi)