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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Bush Meets 5 China Dissidents Ahead of Games

White House steps up support for human rights before Olympics

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(Newser) – President Bush welcomed five prominent Chinese dissidents to the White House yesterday, a week before he leaves for the Olympics. The invitation was one of several moves to intensify pressure on Beijing to respect human rights. Earlier in the day, Bush urged the Chinese foreign minister, who was meeting with national security adviser Stephen Hadley, to relax restrictions on individual freedoms.

Bush met the five in his private residence, assuring them that he would "carry the message of freedom as he travels to Beijing," reports the New York Times. The dissidents are "very high profile people" in China, said one Asia expert, and the meeting drew praise from nonprofits such as Amnesty International that have criticized Bush's Olympic trip.

Hu Jintao and George W. Bush at the G8 summit in Japan. Bush has stepped up his support for human rights in China ahead of the Olympics.
Hu Jintao and George W. Bush at the G8 summit in Japan. Bush has stepped up his support for human rights in China ahead of the Olympics.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, whom President Bush encouraged to relax restrictions on human righta.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, whom President Bush encouraged to relax restrictions on human righta.   (AP Photo)
President Bush looks down as he walks across the South Lawn of the White House following his arrival on Marine One, Tuesday, July 29, 2008, in Washington.
President Bush looks down as he walks across the South Lawn of the White House following his arrival on Marine One, Tuesday, July 29, 2008, in Washington.   (AP Photo)
President Bush pauses during remarks at the Lincoln Electric Company in Euclid, Ohio, Tuesday, July 29, 2008.
President Bush pauses during remarks at the Lincoln Electric Company in Euclid, Ohio, Tuesday, July 29, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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