December8,2003

Washington-AP -- For the second time this year, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom has postponed a scheduled trip to China because of what it calls unacceptable conditions imposed by the Chinese government.

Commission Chairman Michael Young says the Chinese government insisted in July that the commission drop Hong Kong from its itinerary. This time, he says, the Chinese agreed to allow a stopover in Hong Kong, but insisted that no meetings be held there.

Young says he hopes President Bush raises the issue with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (win jhaw bow) when the two leaders meet at the White House tomorrow.

Young says he's confident that Bush will address the larger issue of religious freedom in China, which has been accused of persecuting unregistered Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong adherents and minority Muslims.

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