Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen said in Washington Friday that Falun Gong is not a religion at all but a cult that ruins families and human lives.

"The (Chinese) Government protects the freedom of religious belief and normal religious activities in accordance with law. In fact, more than 100 million people in China believe in one religion or another," Qian said while addressing a welcome luncheon jointly hosted by the National Committee on US-China Relations, US-China Business Council, US-China Policy Foundation and the Nixon Center.

"But cult is a poisonous tumor of a society. Falun Gong is precisely such a cult that ruins families and human lives," the vice premier said.

He said Falun Gong not only despises Protestantism, Catholicism and Buddhism but also fools and entraps people.

"In order to safeguard the human rights and freedoms of the Chinese people, the (Chinese) Government has outlawed the organization in accordance with law," he said.

Talking about human rights issue, Qian said that "never before has the human rights situation in China been so good," adding that it is still improving.

"China has a population of 1.26 billion. It is by no means an easy job to ensure so many people their subsistence, development and political rights. It can't be done overnight. Progress can only be made step by step," the vice premier pointed out.

"Democracy, freedom and human rights are the common pursuit of humanity. Countries differ from one another. So it is nothing strange for them not to see eye to eye on these issues," Qian said.

"What is most important is to respect each other, seek common ground while putting aside differences and refrain from confrontation," he noted.

"We sincerely hope to increase mutual understanding and expand common ground with the US side through dialogue on an equal footing," Qian said, expressing hope that the US side will respond to this positively.