China critics 'doomed to failure': Foreign ministry spokesman

BEIJING (AFP) - China on Monday warned its critics they were "doomed to failure" as Beijing confirmed that Premier Wen Jiabao's family had employed lawyers to help fight The New York Times.

"There are always some voices in the world who do not want to see China develop and become stronger and they will try any means to smear China and Chinese leaders and try to sow instability in China," said foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei.

"Your scheme is doomed to failure," he added.

The official was responding to questions about Mr Wen's decision to hire lawyers to fight claims published by The New York Times last week that his family had owned assets worth US$2.7 billion (S$3.3 billion).