Bush criticises China's rights record

Updated 14.02 Thu Aug 07 2008

Keywords: rights, thailand, speech, human, olympics, china, president, bush

US President George W Bush has made it clear to China's leaders exactly what he thinks of their human rights record - just a day before the Olympics begins.

With all eyes on Beijing, Mr Bush said the US was strongly opposed to the way the Chinese government represses its people.

"America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents, and human rights advocates, and religious activists" - George W Bush

He said: "The United States believes the people of China deserve the fundamental liberty that is the natural right of all human beings.

"So America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents, and human rights advocates, and religious activists."

He said the US speaks out for a free press, free assembly and labour rights not to antagonise China's leaders but because it is the only path it can take to reach its full potential.

"I am optimistic about China's future. Young people who grow up with the freedom to trade goods will ultimately demand the freedom to trade ideas, especially on an unrestricted internet," said Mr Bush.

"Change in China will arrive on its own terms and in keeping with its own history and its own traditions. Yet change will arrive.

"And it will be clear for all to see that those who aspire to speak their conscience and worship their God are no threat to the future of China. They are the people who will make China a great nation in the 21st century."

Mr Bush was speaking in Thailand and has now arrived in Beijing and the Games.