Can We Really Tell Another Country What To Do At This Point?

Bush: China shouldn't fear freedom

Taiwan cited as example of successful Chinese democracy

KYOTO, Japan (CNN) -- U.S. President George W. Bush has told Beijing's leaders that it is in their interests to promote greater freedom in the world's most populous nation.

Speaking to media in Japan Wednesday, Bush said China's leaders should not fear a free society.

Saying that regions became better off and more stable as democracy spread, the president said, "What I say to the Chinese is ... a free society is in your interests."

"Leadership should not fear a free society."

Bush's comments were in response to a question at a news conference held Wednesday with Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

They come ahead of a speech to be delivered later Wednesday in which the U.S. leader will push China to grant more freedoms to its people, citing Taiwan as an example of a successful Chinese democracy.

In remarks released from the speech, Bush urges Chinese leaders to allow more freedom in their country, including the right "to worship without state control."

"Modern Taiwan is free and democratic and prosperous. By embracing freedom at all levels, Taiwan has delivered prosperity to its people and created a free and democratic Chinese society," Bush will say according to an advance text released by the U.S. White House.

"By meeting the legitimate demands of its citizens for freedom and openness, China's leaders can help their country grow into a modern, prosperous and confident nation," Bush will say.

"In the 21st century, freedom is an Asian value because it is a universal value."

President Bush is due to arrive in China on Saturday, after attending the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Busan, South Korea with leaders of 20 other countries in the Pacific Rim. (Ministers adopt plan)

By talking about Taiwan, Bush is raising an issue that has been a major U.S.-Chinese irritant. Taiwan, 160 kilometers (110 miles) off China's southern coast, split from the mainland when nationalist leaders fled there in 1949 during China's civil war.

Since then, Beijing has threatened repeatedly to use force against the self-governed island that China claims as its own.

The island has had de facto independence for more than 50 years, largely because of U.S. support.

While saluting Taiwan's progress and urging China to take more steps, Bush stresses that the United States is not changing its official policy that there is one China -- including Taiwan -- or its position that there should be no unilateral attempt to change the status quo by either side, AP reported.

At the news conference, Bush reiterated that the U.S. would continue to seek a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue and to encourage dialogue on the topic.

In his speech, Bush also pushes China to open its economy to international competition to narrow the expected $200 billion trade surplus with the United States, according to the AP. (Trade deficit sore point)

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said Wednesday agreements between the U.S. and China outnumbered the differences.

"The Chinese people talk about human rights every day," Li told Hong Kong Cable TV.

"Everything we do is for improving the people's livelihood, that includes guaranteeing the people's property rights, political rights and cultural and education rights and democratic development rights."

"China needs to provide a level playing field for American businesses seeking access to China's market," Bush will say, adding that China must fulfill its promise to move towards a more market-based currency.