China took the U.S. to task Wednesday over racism, financial inequality and the federal government’s response to the coronavirus in an annual report that seeks to counter U.S. accusations of human rights abuses by China’s ruling Communist Party. The 28-page report issued by China’s Cabinet opens with “I can’t breathe,” a reference to George Floyd, the Black American who was declared dead last May after a police officer pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for about nine minutes.
The document released by the State Council Information Office said the U.S. in 2020 “saw its own epidemic situation go out of control, accompanied by political disorder, inter-ethnic conflicts, and social division.” It also highlighted the Jan. 6 insurrectionist attack on the Capitol as well as gun violence and health disparities.