U.S. officials said Friday that human rights abuses in China are worsening and that their latest talks with China on the issue "fell short of expectations."
However, Beijing said the same day that its human rights situation is at a historic best, rejecting comments from a senior U.S. diplomat that the situation is deteriorating, with relatives of activists increasingly being harassed and policies in ethnic areas becoming more repressive.
The Foreign Ministry said Chinese are enjoying unprecedented rights but added that those rights must be exercised within Chinese laws.