China said Monday it has a duty to restrict the activities of the outlawed Falungong spiritual group overseas if members disrupt its embassies. "Every government in the world has the obligation and responsibility to act according to international law and laws governing international relations to stop any individuals or organizations, be it the Falungong or other groups, from disrupting the normal work of China's diplomatic missions in Australia," said Shen Guofang, assistant minister of foreign affairs. "We hope relevant international standards could be abided by. And we will remain in close touch with relevant agencies in Australia."Shen was speaking at a press conference at the end of the annual human rights dialogue between China and Australia. Members of the quasi-religious Falungong group regularly gather outside Chinese embassies and consulates overseas to protest against Beijing's crackdown on the group. China outlawed the group as an "evil cult" in 1999 and has since detained or imprisoned tens of thousands of members. The group says its members are tortured for refusing to give up their beliefs.