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Balances criticism of China with praise on the eve of his visit to the Games President Bush speaks at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday. BANGKOK, Thailand - President Bush praised the spread of freedom in Asia while training a harsh spotlight Thursday on the region's democratic laggards, sharply criticizing oppression and human rights abuses in China, Myanmar and North Korea. Bush's speech, outlining America's achievements and challenges in Asia as he wraps up eight years in office, came on the same day he was due to arrive in Beijing to attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and several days of competition. China has rounded up opponents and slapped restrictions on journalists, betraying promises made when it landed the hosting rights. Chinese officials had bristled at... [read full story]
