China has refuted foreign criticism over its treatment of the late Liu Xiaobo, saying he received the best treatment during his fight against cancer.

“Liu Xiaobo was a criminal serving his sentence according to the law. Whether he could go to a foreign country for treatment was not only a legal matter, but also a medical one. It is fair to say that China has given Liu its best treatment. Foreign doctors who joined the medical team have also given positive comment on our efforts,” Geng Shuang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Friday. 

During the course of his treatment, doctors including experts from China as well as Germany and the US, held 25 consultations and five joint diagnoses, and briefed Liu's family on his illness for 23 times, Liu Yunpeng, the main doctor of Liu Xiaobo said at a press conference late Thursday night.

Liu Xiaobo was sentenced to 11 years in jail in December 2009 for inciting subversion of state power. He was released on medical parole when diagnosed with liver cancer.