WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- The State Department issued a report Wednesday sharply critical of China 's human rights record , despite the Obama administration 's decision to take a different approach to the Asian country . In India on Wednesday , Tibetans living in exile protest Chinese rule in Tibet . `` The government of China 's human rights record remained poor and worsened in some areas , '' the report said in reviewing the last year , finding Chinese authorities `` committed extrajudicial killings and torture , coerced confessions of prisoners and used forced labor . '' The `` 2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices , '' the annual report of human rights around the world , also accused China of `` severe cultural and religious repression '' of minorities in Tibet and other regions and increasing harassment and detention of dissidents and activists who signed a petition calling for respect of human rights . China limits the rights of citizens to privacy and freedom of speech , assembly , movement and association , the report said . It also noted that abuses peaked around high-profile events like last year 's Olympic Games in Beijing . The critical report stands in sharp contrast to the lower-key approach Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took last week on her visit to Beijing . Clinton broached the issue of human rights with Chinese leaders , but drew criticism from human rights activists for downplaying the issue 's importance in the overall relationship with China . `` Our pressing on those issues ca n't interfere with the global economic crisis , the global climate change crisis , and the security crisis , '' she told reporters traveling with her , adding , `` It is essential that the United States and China have a positive , cooperative relationship . '' In the past , Clinton has been an outspoken , staunch critic of China 's human rights stance . But officials have said privately that a new approach to dealing with China 's human rights record , including less public criticism and more private discussions , may prove more productive in changing Chinese behavior . While not delving into U.S. human rights practices , the report acknowledged that the U.S. human rights record remains a concern around the world , and it said President Obama has vowed to apply global human rights ideals at home . `` The Department of State remains mindful of both domestic and international scrutiny of the United States ' record , '' the report said . `` We and all other sovereign nations have international obligations to respect the universal human rights and freedoms of our citizens , and it is the responsibility of others to speak out when they believe those obligations are not being fulfilled . ''
Report contrasts with lower-key approach Clinton took on her visit to Beijing . Review for 2008 alleges extrajudicial killings , torture , coerced confessions . Clinton had said `` pressing on those issues ca n't interfere '' with other crises . " Comment: The US is not the only country that has a history of using force in foreign countries and it's not just China or Russia who do this ( although they are both guilty ).