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Mr Zhang was aiding Christians opposing government orders to remove crosses from buildings<\/span><\/p> <\/p> The US says a purported confession from a prominent Chinese lawyer on state television runs counter to the rule of law.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> Zhang Kai admitted to various crimes including disturbing social order in a broadcast on Thursday.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> He has been helping defend Christians resisting government orders to remove crosses from buildings.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> China<\/span> says it guarantees religious freedom but there are concerns about a crackdown on Christian activities.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> On Friday a pastor was jailed for refusing to remove a cross from his church’s roof.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> The authorities have justified the tearing down of crosses by saying they break planning rules.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> Zhang Kai was arrested last year shortly before a planned meeting with the US envoy on religious freedoms.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> ‘Remorse’<\/span><\/p> <\/p> In the broadcast, Mr Zhang said he had assisted the Christians because he wanted wealth and fame.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> “I really regret doing these things, I feel very remorseful,” he said.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> “These things violated China’s law and violated my personal integrity as a lawyer, and they harmed societal structure and national security.”<\/span><\/p> <\/p> China<\/span> frequently airs confessions from high-profile suspects on television.<\/span><\/p> Condemning the broadcast, a US State Department spokesman said “such confessions are counter to the standards of a rule of law.<\/span><\/p> <\/p>