The South China Morning Post reported that while the Beijing government closely monitors Chinese Internet sites, there are no limits on statements deemed politically correct in the communist country.

Beijing has sought to portray the Chinese as victims of racism, and Chinese officials regularly denounce the United States as racist.

However, numerous Chinese web sites heaped venom on Rice following her recent state visit, focusing on her race, sex and nationality.

"She looks like an orangutan, and talks rubbish; send us a beautiful woman next time," stated one contributor to Sina.com.

"This black woman is not welcome!!!" stated another.

"She looks absolutely like a witch!" said a third.

Racist thinking nurtured by political isolation is believed to be widespread in China.

One Internet site mocked Rice, who is single, for having "no sons, and not grandsons, just several mad dogs."

Other reported comments:

"Black devil"; "black pig"; "black whore"; "black female dog"; "You're not even as good as a black devil, a real waste of a life"; "Her brain is blacker than her skin"; "Really ugly"; "The ugliest woman in the world".

The statements were gathered by Chinese dissident, Liu Xiaobo.