Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – “We feel regret about his remarks,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said following Spielberg's decision to quit his post as artistic adviser to the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies because of China’s inaction on the Darfur crisis. “Simply waving banners and shouting slogans will not resolve the problem in Darfur,” he said. “We hope that those who are concerned can look at China's position on, and its constructive function in Darfur, with an objective and fair mind.”

In his statement Liu listed China's positive influence in Sudan, including investment in infrastructure such as power stations and water supply systems, alleviating poverty and giving financial and military assistance to the African Union and the United Nations. In his view the Olympic spirit ought to separate sports from politics.

The Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games also said that Spielberg's pullout was "regrettable.” “Mr Spielberg expressed his wish to make a contribution to the Beijing Olympic Games, and was given a certificate of appointment,” it said in a statement.

Still the two days it took Beijing to break its media silence and come up with a low-key official response has led analysts to believe that China’s rulers are embarrassed by the situation, concerned about possible protests and demonstrations over human rights during the Games.

By contrast, US President George W. Bush said that there were no reasons to boycott the Olympic Games, which he called a “sporting event.”

On Darfur, the US leader noted that “I get to talk to President Hu Jintao. And I do remind him that he can do more to relieve the suffering in Darfur.”

Meanwhile news that International Olympic Committee Chairman Jacques Rogge’s name was included in a letter signed by Nobel Prize laureates calling on Beijing to do more for Darfur was a mistake.

British daily The Independent, whose article news two days ago made the rounds of news rooms, blamed an editing error for the inclusion among the list of names.