Beijing and Washington trade accusations of human rights abuses
American report points to central government's mistreatment of activists, while Beijing denounces drone strikes and gun violence
China and the United States have accused each other of human rights abuses in an annual tit-for-tat exchange of criticism.
In the China section of its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013, the US said China remained "an authoritarian state" despite the abolition of the notorious system of re-education through labour and a change to the one-child policy.
"Repression and coercion, particularly against organisations and individuals involved in civil and political rights advocacy and public interest issues, ethnic minorities, and law firms that took on sensitive cases, were routine," the report said.
Officials increasingly harassed and intimidated families and associates of rights defenders, it said. Individuals and groups regarded as politically sensitive still faced restrictions on their freedom to assemble, practise religion and travel, the report said.
[Beijing engaged in the] severe repression of Tibet's unique heritage
Authorities also used extra-legal measures such as enforced disappearance and strict house arrest, not just on suspects but also their family members, to prevent public expression of independent opinions, it said. Officials also used new methods to censor the internet and targeted popular bloggers, it said.
The report listed other abuses including executions without due process, arbitrary detention, torture and coerced confessions, and detention and harassment of lawyers, writers and dissidents who tried to express views legally .