Bush to attend Olympic opening ceremony

Updated 11.16 Fri Jul 04 2008

Keywords: Hugh Jintao, human rights, China, George Bush, Olympics, Beijing

US President George W Bush will attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in China next month.

Human rights activists have been calling for world leaders to boycott the events to protest China's record on civil rights.

George Bush had earlier rejected calls to boycott the Olympics but the White House previously steered clear of saying whether he would attend the opening ceremonies.

China's crackdown on Tibet after deadly riots in March sparked worldwide protests over Beijing's policies, including demonstrations that disrupted the procession of the Olympic torch.

Mr Bush had earlier rejected calls to boycott the Olympics but the White House previously steered clear of saying whether he would attend the opening ceremonies.

He said he sees the Olympics as a sporting competition and is going to China to support first and foremost his athletes.

While he is there he will discuss human rights and religious freedoms with Chinese President Hu Jintao on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit in Japan next week.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he will decide next week whether to attend the opening of the Games, depending on the outcome of talks between Beijing and envoys of the Dalai Lama.