KYOTO, Japan Nov 15, 2005 — President Bush prodded China on Wednesday to grant more political freedom to its 1.3 billion people and held up archrival Taiwan as a society that successfully moved from repression to democracy as it opened its economy.
In remarks sure to rile Beijing, Bush suggested China should follow Taiwan's path.
"Modern Taiwan is free and democratic and prosperous. By embracing freedom at all levels, Taiwan has delivered prosperity to its people and created a free and democratic Chinese society," the president said.
Bush made his remarks in the advance text of a speech that was to be the cornerstone address of his Asian trip. From Japan, he will continue to South Korea, China and Mongolia.
At a state guest house, Bush met with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, an unflinching ally despite the president's record-low popularity and mounting problems at home. The president called Koizumi his "buddy." Bush wants Japan to play a stronger role in Asian security issues, perhaps as a counterbalance to China's growing strength, vast army and designs on U.S. ally Taiwan.