Presidential hopefuls criticize China

WASHINGTON, April 9 (UPI) -- China's crackdown in Tibet has prompted all three U.S. major presidential candidates to call on Beijing to improve human rights.

Democratic Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton along with Republican John McCain have criticized China for the way it treats Tibetans seeking self-rule, CNN reported Wednesday.

Last month Clinton declined to call for a U.S. boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games but this week she suggested President Bush should just skip the opening ceremonies.

"I believe President Bush should not plan on attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing, absent major changes by the Chinese government," Clinton said in a statement issued Monday.

Her rival for the Democratic nomination, Barack Obama, said he is "deeply disturbed" by recent events but said he is torn over making the Olympics the site of a political protest.

Presumptive GOP nominee John McCain has said until China moves toward political liberalization, relations between the U.S. and China will be based on shared interests rather than shared values.