Bush arrives in China amid criticism

BEIJING, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush arrived in Beijing Thursday for the Summer Olympics amid criticism over his remarks concerning China's human rights policy.

In a message to China on the eve of the Olympics, Bush urged improved human rights to make China great.

"The United States believes the people of China deserve the fundamental liberty that is the natural right of all human beings," Bush said in a speech Wednesday at a state dinner in Bangkok, Thailand.

"America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents and human rights advocates and religious activists," he said. "We speak out for a free press, freedom of assembly and labor rights not to antagonize China's leaders, but because trusting its people with greater freedom is the only way for China to develop its full potential.

"We press for openness and justice not to impose our beliefs, but to allow the Chinese people to express theirs. As Chinese scientist Xu Liangying has said: 'Human nature is universal and needs to pursue freedom and equality.'"

China reacted to the criticism, saying the United States and China should discuss the issue "on an equal footing," Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency, reported.