President Bush began his visit to China today by encouraging Chinese authorities to promote greater religious freedom in the country. Today's Washington Post reports that even before the welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, Bush attended a service at a state-sanctioned Protestant church to send a message about free expression of faith. Aides say Bush has been offended by the recent harassment of individuals trying to practice their faith without state approval at underground churches. The Post article also reports that several religious figures were either detained or ordered out of Beijing by security services just before the President's arrival in the country.
The President told reporters: "My hope is that the government of China will not fear Christians who gather to worship openly. A healthy society is a society that welcomes all faiths." Later in a joint appearance with Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Great Hall, Bush said: "It's important that social, political and religious freedoms grow in China and we encourage China to continue making their historic transition to greater freedom." Hu responded: "Notable and historic progress has been made in China's development of a democratic political system and human rights." A dispatch yesterday from Knight-Ridder Newspapers also reports on the President's push for religious freedom in China.
UPDATE: Apparently President Bush made little headway in pressing China to liberalize its policies on religious freedom. A Knight-Ridder report quotes Chinese President Hu, after his meetings with Bush, as saying that human rights in China should be based on "national conditions" and China's "historical and cultural heritage."
