Aug

7

Bush concerned about rights in China

Filed Under Politics | Posted By Jennifer Sullivan |

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George W Bush US President raised “deep concerns” about China’s detention of dissidents and respect for human rights on Thursday, as he prepared to head to Beijing for the Olympic Games.

Bush insisted that his criticism was not intended to “antagonise” China on the eve of the Games, and expressed optimism about the future of the world’s most populous nation.

Bush said, “The United States believes the people of China deserve the fundamental liberty that is the natural right of all human beings,”

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 labour rights — not to antagonise China’s leaders, but because trusting its people with greater freedom is the only way for China to develop its full potential.”

He added, “We press for openness and justice not to impose our beliefs, but to allow the Chinese people to express theirs,”.

Critics have said that Bush should have boycotted the opening ceremony of the Games because of China’s record on human rights, which has been in the international spotlight in the run-up to the August 8-24 Games.



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