By BEN FELLER / AP WRITER
The Irrawaddy News
BEIJING — Speaking in China on the day the Olympic Games open, US President George W. Bush prodded the communist country on Friday to reduce repression and "let people say what they think."
The president's challenge, issued as he dedicated a massive new US embassy in Beijing, capped a volley of sharp exchanges between the two nations this week about China's human rights record.
But Bush also offered balance, praising China's contributions to society and embracing its relationship with the US as strong, enduring and candid.
"We strongly believe societies which allow the free expression of ideas tend to be the most prosperous and the most peaceful," Bush said at the official opening of the US $434 million embassy.
"Candor is most effective where nations have built a relationship of respect and trust," Bush said. "I've worked hard to build that respect and trust. I appreciate the Chinese leadership that have worked hard to build that respect and trust."
Bush said the vast American diplomatic complex—the second largest in the world, after the heavily fortified compound in Baghdad—is symbolic of China's importance to the United States.
"It reflects the solid foundation underpinning our relations," Bush said. "It is a commitment to strengthen that foundation for years to come."
Bush came to Beijing mainly to watch US athletes compete and enjoy the spectacle of the summer games, but a round of political one-upmanship has heavily defined his trip to Asia. He bluntly criticized China's human rights record in a speech in Thailand, which prompted China to warn the US president to stop meddling in its business.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang admonished Bush just before he got to China.
"We firmly oppose any words or acts that interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, using human rights and religion and other issues," he said. The spokesman added that "Chinese citizens have freedom of religion. These are indisputable facts."
The rhetorical barbs were expected to recede quickly as the games began. White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said she did not think they would overshadow Bush's trip at all.
"We've had these back-and-forths with China for years," she said. The White House says its cooperation with China on security and economic matters should not be overlooked.
The new American embassy in Beijing, situated on 10 acres (4 hectares) in a new diplomatic zone, is wrapped in freestanding transparent and opaque glass. Bush got a look at it on Friday as the pollution over the city cast a white haze in all directions.
The president attended the dedication of the embassy with his father, former President George H W Bush, who in the 1970s served as chief of the US liaison office during a critical period when the US was renewing ties with China.
Also in attendance was Henry Kissinger, who was the US secretary of state during the Nixon presidency when Washington began diplomatic relations with China.
The former US president reminisced about his days in the city, then called Peking, when a young George W Bush rode a bicycle around the city.
The current president said the last time he was in China he had the opportunity to break in a mountain biking course. He joked that he contemplated entering Olympic bike events, but that his wife, first lady Laura Bush, reminded him that "they don't give any medals for last place."
Bush's presence is a precedent. He will be the first US president ever to attend an Olympics on foreign soil when he soaks up the splendor of the opening ceremony.
"I'm looking forward to cheering our athletes on," Bush said. "I'm not making any predictions about medal counts, but I can tell you the US athletes are ready to come and compete in the spirit of friendship."
Bush was having lunch with other world leaders on Friday and then meeting members of the US Olympic Team for a presidential pep talk. At night comes the elaborate opening ceremony.
On Saturday, Bush meets with Olympic sponsors and watches women's basketball. He and family members will likely choose other events to attend.
On Sunday, he will attend a Protestant church and then speak to reporters about religious freedom, the same practice he followed during his last visit to China in 2005. He then plans to take in some men's and women's Olympic swimming.
Business takes over briefly on Sunday afternoon. Bush will meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao at his presidential compound and then hold sessions with China's vice president and premier. Then it’s back to sports on Sunday night: the much-anticipated US-China basketball game.
On Monday, the president will attend a practice baseball game between the US and China.
He is expected to add in other sporting events before flying back to Washington that day.
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