China has offered its own critique of the United States in response to Washington's annual review of Beijing's human rights record.
China's State Council issued a report Friday blaming the subprime mortgage crisis in the U.S. for triggering the global economic recession.
The report also accused the United States of restricting the rights of its citizens in a number of areas, including racial equality, personal security, and political and economic advancement.
The U.S. State Department accused China of numerous human rights violations in its annual global report, which it issued Thursday. It said Beijing harassed and detained more human rights activists last year, and accused the communist government of severe cultural and religious repression in Tibet and Xinjiang province.
But China says the U.S. uses the issue of human rights as a "political instrument to interfere in other countries' internal affairs."
The Chinese counter-report says it is a "pity" how Washington "revels" in pointing a finger at other nations' human rights records, while ignoring its own failings.
Tensions between Beijing and the U.S. have grown in recent months over several trade disputes, a major weapons sale to Taiwan, and China's alleged interference with U.S.-based Internet giant Google.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
