The United States said it would raise concerns about trade, human rights and Syria during a closely watched visit by China's likely next leader next week, despite hopes to improve ties.
White House officials said they would seek to send a message to Vice President Xi Jinping that the United States welcomes China's rise but that Beijing was testing the patience even of supporters of the relationship.
'China needs to recognise that it needs to continue to take steps to live up to the rules of the road that all nations abide by, particularly economically, in order to maintain support for the relationship in the United States,' deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes told reporters.
With elections approaching in November, the United States has been pressing China over trade policies seen as unfair including what politicians call a disregard for intellectual property rights and an artificially weak currency.
Human rights groups say that China has also stepped up curbs on dissent, with dozens of government critics detained since last year. Democracy activist Zhu Yufu was sentenced on Friday to seven years in prison, his wife said.
Residents say that China has imposed virtual martial law in Tibetan areas, amid a wave of self-immolations to protest Beijing's rule, and has kept tight control of the Uighur minority concentrated in northwestern Xinjiang region.
'It is an area of grave concern for us to witness the increase of tensions in Tibet and Xinjiang,' said Danny Russel, US President Barack Obama's top adviser on Asia.
'The US has spoken out about it, and we use every opportunity to urge the Chinese officials and leaders to exercise real restraint and to safeguard the human rights and the fundamental freedoms of all of Chinese citizens, including in Tibet.'
Russel dismissed fears of human rights groups that the United States would tone down comments to ensure a smooth visit by Xi, who will be welcomed on Tuesday at the White House, State Department and Pentagon.
'This is an important part of our agenda and there's no reason that the conversations with Vice President Xi would depart from our longstanding practices,' Russel said.
Officials also said they would make clear concerns on violence-hit Syria after China joined Russia in vetoing a proposed UN Security Council resolution that would have stepped up pressure on President Bashar al-Assad.
