07 August 2008
Bush: China must end detentions, ensure freedoms
(AP) En route for the Beijing Olympics, President Bush expressed "deep concerns" about the state of human rights in China and urged Beijing to allow political freedoms for its citizens. "America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents, human rights advocates and religious activists", he said in Bangkok in a speech to foreign diplomats, Thai government leaders and business officials. President Bush says he has built a relationship with China's leaders - through opposing independence for Taiwan, co-operating in negotiations over North Korea's nuclear programme and sharing economic interests, for example - that has allowed him to be "honest and direct" on sensitive internal matters. "I have spoken clearly, candidly and consistently with China's leaders about our deep concerns over religious freedom and human rights", he said. Earlier, during a news conference in Seoul with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, he said China's pre-Olympics crackdown on dissent has been "a mistake".