Official White House Press Release

China Aid Association
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                           July 29, 2008
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
Today in The White House Residence, President Bush met with five Chinese
freedom activists to discuss his concerns about human rights in China.
The President assured them that he will carry the message of freedom as
he travels to Beijing for the games, just as he has regularly made this
a priority in all of his meetings with Chinese officials.  He told the
activists that engagement with Chinese leaders gives him an opportunity
to make the United State s’ position clear – human rights and religious
freedom should not be denied to anyone. 
The President met with Harry Wu, Wei Jingsheng, Rebiya Kadeer, Dr. Sasha
Gong, and Bob Fu. The President asked them about their personal
experiences in their peaceful efforts to press for more freedom in
China.  The group welcomed the President’s strong commitment to human
rights and religious freedom and urged him to continue to deliver that
message not only to the Chinese leadership but also to all the people of
China.
President Bush also dropped by a meeting his National Security Advisor
had this morning with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.  The
President reviewed current bilateral relations with the Foreign
Minister; as well as his desire to see a successful Olympics, and noted
that this presents the Chinese with an opportunity to demonstrate
compassion on human rights and freedom.