China has reacted to reports from the United States of a row over the broadcasting of an interview with recently-released dissident Wei Jingsheng. US government officials denied they had tried to stop the government-backed Voice of America radio station from running the interview, but they confirmed they had dropped it from a government-controlled television station for fear it would jeopardise further dissident releases. In Beijing a Foreign Ministry spokesman said China opposed any country using Mr Wei against the Chinese government. Duncan Hewitt reports from Beijing.

Wei Jingsheng's release from a 14-year jail sentence and his departure to the United States on medical parole were seen as goodwill gestures by China to the Clinton administration, following Chinese President Jiang Zemin's state visit to the US. Yet despite improving diplomatic ties, Mr Wei's presence in the US is clearly a potential irritant.

Last week's White House meeting between President Clinton and Mr Wei provoked an angry reaction from China, even though press cameras were barred. Now an interview with Wei Jingsheng has highlighted the potential conflict of interest for US government-backed media organisations.

On Wednesday the head of the US Information Agency, Joseph Duffy, confirmed he had prevented his organisation's television operation World Net from running an interview with Mr Wei, carried out by staff of the radio station Voice of America. The government has denied reports that Mr Duffy also tried to have the interview dropped by VOA, which, though government-operated, is supposed to have editorial independence.

Yet press groups have accused the administration of interference. Mr Duffy said he was worried China would believe the US was breaking what he called an implied commitment not to exploit Mr Wei's presence for political ends.