U.S. President George Bush has arrived in Beijing for the Olympic Games and meetings with his Chinese counterpart. Mr. Bush has promised to raise human rights concerns with the Chinese president after several Americans were deported from China for protesting. Daniel Schearf reports from Beijing.
Mr. Bush arrived in the Chinese capital after a speech in Thailand where he had strong words about China's human rights record.
"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.
China's foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang issued a statement defending China's record. He said the Chinese government is devoted to safeguarding and improving basic rights and freedoms. He added the Chinese people enjoy freedom of religion according to the law.
Earlier Thursday, police at Beijing's Tiananmen Square detained three American Christians who were protesting against the Chinese government.
The Communist Party fears any organized groups inside China that are outside its control and outlawed the Falun Gong spiritual movement after it became too popular.
Most couples in China are only allowed to have one child and officials have been known to brutally enforce the rule.
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