President Bush to Urge More Freedoms in China

"The United States believes the people of China deserve the fundamental liberty that is the natural right of all human beings," he will say, according to an advance copy of the speech released by the White House. "So America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents, human rights advocates, and religious advocates.

"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."

The message is part of a larger speech touting the longstanding U.S. alliance with Thailand and progress in Asia in general to becoming "a thriving and dynamic region."

President Bush will describe free trade agreements the United States entered with 14 countries, including Australia and Singapore, and joint efforts with the help of Asian nations to capture and kill terrorists.

He also plans to mention the cooperative effort to end the threat of nuclear weapons posed by North Korea, and the North's pledge to dismantle its nuclear facilities.

But the portion of his marquee speech during his weeklong tour of Asia that addresses China are his most publicly critical remarks of the communist country to date.

China considers the opportunity of hosting the Olympics a huge source of national pride. In an effort to preserve its image, the government has rounded up dissidents and detained some. Foreign journalists covering the games have objected to certain Web sites being blocked, such as those about the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

During a news conference in Seoul with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday, President Bush said the crackdown on dissidents has been "a mistake," quoted the Associated Press.

However, Mr. Bush sounds an optimistic note for China's future in the Thursday speech, saying, "Change in China will arrive on its own terms and in keeping with its own history and traditions."

President Bush has said he is attending the Olympic opening ceremony to support the athletes but that he will speak frankly with Chinese President Hu Jintao during their private meetings. He also plans to attend a church service in Beijing, which will promote religious freedom in the country.