7:56am UK, Thursday August 07, 2008

President George Bush has told China that the US stands in “firm opposition” to the way the communist government represses its own people.

President Bush tempered his speech with praise for China’s economic development

The stinging rebuke came on the eve of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games.

But to lessen the blow, Mr Bush praised the Asian nation for its market reforms.

“We speak out for a free press, freedom of assembly, and labour rights not to antagonise China’s leaders, but because trusting its people with greater freedom is the only way for China to develop its full potential,” Mr Bush said in a speech in Thailand.

“And we press for openness and justice not to impose our beliefs, but to allow the Chinese people to express theirs.

“America stands in firm opposition to China’s detention of political dissidents, human rights advocates, and religious activists.”

The president added that he was optimistic about China’s future and that young people may grow up with more freedoms.

He said: ”Change in China will arrive on its own terms and in keeping with its own history and its own traditions. Yet change will arrive.”

China has already been accused of cracking down on dissent ahead of the Games.

Sky News found evidence that authorities were sweeping protesters off the streets – the ones who might publicly shame China’s leaders during the Olympics.

Two British Free Tibet campaigners have left China after they were arrested for unfurling a Tibetan flag and banner outside the Olympic stadium.

Lucy Fairbrother, 23, and Iain Thom, 24, sent text messages to family members saying they were getting on a flight to Frankfurt in Germany, said a spokesman for Students for a Free Tibet.

Mr Bush is in Thailand as the first stop in a three-country Asian tour, and the speech may be his last major Asia address.

Sky News China correspondent Peter Sharp said: ”It’s very interesting that he didn’t say this in Beijing, which would have been a bit more embarrassing for the Chinese.

“But he had to say something.

“Had he not done so it would really have lent credibility to the Chinese government when they are under a lot of pressure to improve their record on human rights.”

In his speech Mr Bush also mentioned neighbouring Burma, saying: ”Together, we seek an end to tyranny in Burma.

“The noble cause has many devoted champions, and I happen to be married to one of them.”

First Lady Laura Bush is an outspoken advocate for Burma, which is also known as Myanmar, drawing attention to a southeast Asian nation unfamiliar to many Americans.

During her trip to Thailand she was expected to visit a border refugee camp in Mae La, home to thousands of people who have fled violence in Burma.