Originally published December 7 2005
Bush uses Asian tour to apply pressure to China about political freedoms
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
In a speech critical of the Chinese system of government, President Bush walked a fine line, balancing his desire for China to allow greater political freedoms to its citizens with the U.S. interest in the burgeoning Chinese economy.
President George W.Bush on Wednesday offered a direct rebuke to China by holding up Japan and Taiwan as examples of free and open societies and warning that the people of China had "legitimate" demands for more freedom of speech and religion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------His criticism alluded to the case of Cai Zhuohua, a protestant minister who last month was sentenced to up to three years in prison for publishing Bibles in China.
The remarks, especially those citing Taiwan, could stir anger in Beijing, where Mr Bush is due later this week.
Beijing is accustomed to visiting US leaders pressing it to allow greater freedoms, but China's leaders will be irritated to have Japan and, in particular, Taiwan held up as examples of successful regional democracies.
Li Zhaoxing, China's foreign minister, responded by saying that the US should not meddle in the Taiwan issue and should refrain from supporting independence for the island.
"We can talk about the Taiwan problem with the US, but the US must recognise that Taiwan is part of China," Mr Li was reported as saying by Bloomberg, speaking in Busan, South Korea, where he is attending the regional Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation meeting.
Mr Bush emphasised the importance of the US relationship with Japan during his speech, addressing concerns in Tokyo about so-called "Japan passing", whereby Washington is said to overlook Japan because its attention has shifted to dealing with a resurgent China.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Junichiro Koizumi, Japan's prime minister, Mr Bush said he would do all he could to overcome local resistance to US military bases, particularly in the southern island of Okinawa.
The US president's warm personal relationship with Mr Koizumi, whom Mr Bush described as one of "my best friends in the international community", has not helped produce a speedy resolution to Japan's ban on US imports.
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