China demands CNN apology for "goons" comment

A pro-China supporter runs with a Chinese flag during the Olympic torch relay in Buenos Aires April 11, 2008.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China on Tuesday demanded that television news channel CNN apologize after one of its commentators said the Chinese were "goons" and that their products were "junk".

Jack Cafferty made the comments earlier this month on CNN's political program, The Situation Room.

"We are shocked at and strongly condemn the evil attack by the CNN anchor on the Chinese people," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular news conference.

"Cafferty used the microphone in his hand to slander China and the Chinese people, and seriously violated reporting ethics."

Cafferty said the United States imported Chinese-made "junk with the lead paint on them and the poisoned pet food", adding: "They're basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years," according to a copy of his comments carried on YouTube.

China came under international scrutiny following a series of food and product health scares last year. It says the vast majority of its products are safe and has accused Western media of over-hyping the problem.

"We solemnly demand that CNN and Cafferty retract their evil words and apologize to the whole Chinese people," Jiang added.

CNN's Hong Kong bureau, one of its main reporting bases in Asia, said it had no immediate comment.

China has lashed out at Western media organizations, including CNN in recent weeks following unrest in Tibet, accusing them of running distorted reports, siding with pro-Tibet independence groups and of demonizing China.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by John Ruwitch in Hong Kong; Editing by Nick Macfie and Alex Richardson)