Beijing ? China’s government reacted angrily Thursday to the European Parliament’s decision to give its top human rights prize to jailed Chinese dissident Hu Jia, with Beijing calling him a criminal and the award interference.

The harsh reaction to Hu’s winning the Sakharov Prize contrasted with the friendly atmosphere Beijing was trying to project as it welcomed leaders from the European Union and Asia for a summit to tackle the global economic crisis.

Adding to Beijing’s fury, the European Parliament bucked a Chinese pressure campaign against giving the award to Hu, an outspoken advocate on human rights, the environment and social fairness. Hu is in a Beijing jail serving a 3 1/2-year jail term for sedition. The charge stems from police accusations that he had planned to work with foreigners to disturb the Olympic Games in August.