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BUSH CHIDES CHINA ON HUMAN RIGHTS, CHINA TELLS HIM TO BUTT OUT
Before he left for Asia, President Bush said repeatedly that he was going to Beijing for the Olympics, not for diplomacy. "I made a decision not to politicize the Games; this is for athletics," he said at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, where he talked to U.S. troops and refueled before heading to his first stop in South Korea.
Critics, like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, warned that the president's presence at the Games -- he'll attend the Opening Ceremonies tomorrow -- could be misconstrued as supporting the communist regime in Beijing.
But ever since he's left, in every way possible, Bush has been making clear to China that its human rights record -- like denying U.S. speed skater Joey Cheek a visa because of his humanitarian effort to help starving Sudanese in Darfur -- is repressive.
In Thailand today, before heading to Beijing, he said:
America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents and human rights advocates and religious activists. We speak out for a free press, freedom of assembly, and labor rights, not to antagonize China's leaders, but because trusting its people with greater freedom is the only way for China to develop its full potential. We press for openness and justice, not to impose our beliefs, but to allow the Chinese people to express theirs. As Chinese scientist Xu Liangying has said: "Human nature is universal and needs to pursue freedom and equality."
Bush tried to soften his message by coupling it with praise for China's economic reforms and for the robust turn in U.S.-Chinese relations
Before he left for Asia, President Bush said repeatedly that he was going to Beijing for the Olympics, not for diplomacy. "I made a decision not to politicize the Games; this is for athletics," he said at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, where he talked to U.S. troops and refueled before heading to his first stop in South Korea.
Critics, like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, warned that the president's presence at the Games -- he'll attend the Opening Ceremonies tomorrow -- could be misconstrued as supporting the communist regime in Beijing.
But ever since he's left, in every way possible, Bush has been making clear to China that its human rights record -- like denying U.S. speed skater Joey Cheek a visa because of his humanitarian effort to help starving Sudanese in Darfur -- is repressive.
In Thailand today, before heading to Beijing, he said:
America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents and human rights advocates and religious activists. We speak out for a free press, freedom of assembly, and labor rights, not to antagonize China's leaders, but because trusting its people with greater freedom is the only way for China to develop its full potential. We press for openness and justice, not to impose our beliefs, but to allow the Chinese people to express theirs. As Chinese scientist Xu Liangying has said: "Human nature is universal and needs to pursue freedom and equality."
Bush tried to soften his message by coupling it with praise for China's economic reforms and for the robust turn in U.S.-Chinese relations
.
But the human rights quote was delivered loud and clear in Beijing, where the communist regime answered back quickly rejecting the president's advice.
In a statement carried on CNN, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said:
We firmly oppose any statements or deeds which use human rights, religion and other issues to interfere with the internal affairs of other countries. Chinese citizens enjoy freedom of religion in accordance with the law. These facts are well known. Regarding the Sino-U.S. differences on issues including human rights and religion, we have always insisted on dialogue and communication based on mutual equality and mutual respect, in order to enhance understanding, reduce differences and to expand consensus.
read the rest of the article here:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/presidentbush/2008/08/chides-china.html
But the human rights quote was delivered loud and clear in Beijing, where the communist regime answered back quickly rejecting the president's advice.
In a statement carried on CNN, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said:
We firmly oppose any statements or deeds which use human rights, religion and other issues to interfere with the internal affairs of other countries. Chinese citizens enjoy freedom of religion in accordance with the law. These facts are well known. Regarding the Sino-U.S. differences on issues including human rights and religion, we have always insisted on dialogue and communication based on mutual equality and mutual respect, in order to enhance understanding, reduce differences and to expand consensus.
read the rest of the article here:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/presidentbush/2008/08/chides-china.html
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