Scores of dissidents have been detained, intimidated or placed under 24-hour surveillance in recent weeks, according to Chinese and foreign critics who have accused authorities of gross human rights abuses.

"China cannot accept this kind of accusation.... the 17th Communist Party Congress is a very important meeting and a good environment needed to be ensured," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a press conference.

"The measures taken by China were arranged under the framework of law."

Aside from the detention or surveillance of dissidents, authorities also razed a ramshackle Beijing district where thousands of people from around the country used to stay as they tried to air grievances with the government.

"The Chinese government is intensifying repression ahead of the 17th Congress... as the climax of a months-long campaign to silence dissent," the New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a recent statement.

Prominent Beijing-based activist Hu Jia told AFP on Tuesday he believed dissidents were facing the worst wave of repression in years.

"The police force mobilised is much much larger than before... now they just arrest people very publicly and arbitrarily, without the necessary legal procedures," said Hu.

Hu and his pregnant wife, also a well-known critic, are guarded by up to 16 people outside their flat.

Hu was outraged at Liu's comments and accused him of lying.

"We cannot accept an official saying things like this," he said.

The five-yearly Congress is the most important political event in China, and the Communist Party has taken extensive measures aside from silencing dissidents to ensure the image of a "harmonious society" is projected.

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