Beijing - China on Thursday defended its military suppression of democracy protests 20 years ago and rejected as "interference" US calls for the government to account for its action.

"We have made a clear conclusion on the political turbulence 20 years ago and I have explained that many times," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters when asked about the 1989 crackdown.

"Economic and social development have made great achievements in the past 30 years of opening up, and this truth shows that the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is in accordance with China's situation and in the interests of the Chinese people," he said.

Qin said criticisms of China's human rights record on Wednesday by US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton were "groundless" and her calls for government accountability were "interference in China's internal affairs."

"We express strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition," he said of Clinton's comments.

Clinton issued a statement calling on Beijing to provide its citizens with basic rights embraced by the international community.

"A China that has made enormous progress economically, and that is emerging to take its rightful place in global leadership, should examine openly the darker events of its past and provide a public accounting of those killed, detained or missing, both to learn and to heal," she said.

Clinton urged China to release prisoners still serving sentences for activities related to Tiananmen and to end the harassment of participants and their families.

"China can honour the memory of that day by moving to give the rule of law, protection of internationally-recognized human rights, and democratic development the same priority as it has given to economic reform," she said.

The Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader, also urged the Chinese government to "review the events of June 4, 1989."

"A policy of openness and realism can lead to greater trust and harmony within China and enhance its international standing as a truly great nation," the Dalai Lama said in a statement on Thursday.

Several hundred people are believed to have died as the ruling Communist Party sent troops armed with tanks and live ammunition to clear protesters from Beijing's Tiananmen Square overnight on June 3-4, 1989.(dpa)