The report released Sunday in China which defines human rights primarily in terms of improving living conditions for its 1.3 billion people also cited gun violence in the U.S. among its examples of human rights violations, saying it was a serious threat to the lives and safety of America's citizens.

NPR: China Criticizes US For Its Human Rights Record

At the same time, China's deteriorating record on human rights detailed in a recent report by the State Department has galvanised a group of Republicans for whom moral and religious questions trump business arguments.

ECONOMIST: Why is Congress so divided over whether to normalise trade?