BEIJING (AP) - China defended its policies in Darfur on Thursday and rejected attempts to link the humanitarian crisis to the Beijing Olympics, a day after Steven Spielberg said his conscience would not allow him to continue working as an adviser to the event.

The director's decision was part of growing criticism against China, targeting everything from its food safety to diplomatic policies abroad. Officials have repeatedly argued that the Olympics is a sporting event and should not be "politicized."

中国政府在斯皮尔伯格退出后为自身辩护
　　美联社2月15日北京电 中国政府周四为其在达尔富尔问题的政策进行辩护，并抵制将该地区人道主义危机同北京奥运会挂钩。这是在史蒂芬•斯皮尔伯格表示良知使他无法继续担任奥运会顾问的工作一天后中国作出的回应。
　　导演斯皮尔伯格的退出成为对中国日益增多的批评的一部分，针对包括从食品安全到外交政策的各方面。中国官员已经反复重申奥运会是体育盛事而不应被“政治化”。