LONDON, Feb 22, 2001 -- (Agence France Presse) China's ambassador to Britain is locked in an furious war of words with London's elected assembly over Beijing's treatment of the Falun Gong religious [group], it was revealed on Wednesday.

The row erupted after the Greater London Assembly, which represents the capital's eight million residents, voted late last year for a resolution which censured China for suppressing the rights of the [group].

Ambassador Ma Zhenang responded angrily, saying the assembly was "unfriendly" to China and had damaged its own reputation.

In a letter to assembly chairman Trevor Phillips, a copy of which has been obtained by AFP, the ambassador said he had hoped for goodwill and cooperation from the body.

"But to our great surprise, you have responded to all our goodwill with such an unfriendly gesture," he wrote.

"We extremely regret that the first action of the Greater London Assembly towards the Chinese people is this sort of resolution."

He added: "The resolution, frankly speaking, will not hurt the Chinese people by a shred. But by associating with a [Chinese government's slanderous word], the Greater London Assembly will gain nothing except harming its own reputation and its image in the minds of the Chinese people."

"Since the resolution is unacceptable to us, I decided to return it to you," wrote the ambassador.

The Chinese embassy sent similar letters to the 24 other members of the assembly. However, they appeared to be uncowed.

Assembly member Brian Coleman, who helped initiate the resolution on behalf of a Chinese constituent, said the assembly would continue to press for freedom of speech for Falun Gong members.

"The [...] status or otherwise of Falun Gong is not the issue," he said. "The issue is that people should be allowed to practice their beliefs freely and without threat of persecution."

Falun Gong is one of the world's fastest-growing [groups] with an estimated 70 million members. [...]

Beijing banned the [group] in July 1999, alleging that [Chinese government's slanderous words]. ((c) 2001 Agence France Presse)