President Urged To Raise Religious Freedom Issues With Chinese Leaders

On Thursday, President Obama leaves on a nine-day trip to Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea. (CNN). Yesterday the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom wrote the President (full text of letter) urging him "to raise critical issues of religious freedom" with Chinese leaders. USCIRF wants the President to "seek meetings with prominent human rights defenders and repressed religious leaders, and make a strong public statement about the importance of human rights to the future of U.S.-China relations." According to Voice of America yesterday, the President says he will talk with Chinese leaders about human rights, along with issues of climate change and trade.