President Bush Will Continue to Raise Human Rights Issues with Chinese Leaders

During a January 26 press conference, President Bush responded to questions about the themes of his January 20 inaugural address, particularly the role of the United States in promoting liberty around the world. In response to a reporter’s question about China, the President said that he believes that the United States can achieve both human rights and other objectives with the Chinese government, and that while he doesn't expect instant democracy, he expects to see progress toward a goal. The President recalled that when meeting with Chinese leaders during his first term, he has reminded them of the benefits of respecting human rights and human dignity. He specifically mentioned having raised issues concerning the Dalai Lama and the Catholic Church in China with Chinese leaders. The President said he would continue to raise these issues in future high-level meetings.