Bush Backs Progress in China but Avoids Criticism of Regime

WASHINGTON — President Bush, asked Thursday about the massive student demonstrations demanding greater freedom in China, avoided joining the demonstrators’ specific criticism of the Chinese government and leaders.

“I have words of encouragement for freedom and democracy, wherever,” the President told reporters in a question-and-answer session outside the White House, with Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney standing by. “And I would like to see progress in China, in the Soviet Union, and in other systems that have heretofore not been in the forefront, to put it mildly, of human rights or of democratic rights.”

Referring to the students’ demands for greater democracy, Bush said that the United States could “identify with them when they talk about more free press.” But he also said: “I wouldn’t suggest that to any leadership, to any country, that they accept every demand by every group.”

The President added:

“I would like to encourage China, or the Soviet Union, or other totalitarian countries--countries that have not enjoyed democratic practices--to move as quick as they can down democracy’s path. And I’ve been pleased with some of the changes in China.”