U.S. & World News

BANGKOK, Thailand (CBS News) ― With all eyes on Beijing, President Bush bluntly told China that America is strongly opposed to the way the communist government represses its people, a rebuke delivered from the heart of Asia on the cusp of the Olympic Games.

In perhaps his last major address in Asia, Mr. Bush said that America speaks out for a free press, free assembly and labor rights not to antagonize China's leaders, but because it's the only path the potent U.S. rival can take to reach its full potential. "America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents and human rights advocates and religious activists," Mr. Bush said.

"We press for openness and justice not to impose our beliefs, but to allow the Chinese people to express theirs."

China responded later Thursday, saying no one should interfere in other countries' internal affairs.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said China and the United States have divergent views on human rights and religions issues, but said Beijing firmly opposed "any words or acts" that used those issues to interfere in other countries' internal affairs.

Along with his chiding, Mr. Bush offered praise for China's market reforms and hope that it will embrace freedom, reflecting the delicate balance that the president seeks to strike with the potent U.S. rival.

"Change in China will arrive on its own terms and in keeping with its own history and its own traditions. Yet change will arrive," he said.

Mr. Bush delivered his message in Thailand hours before departing for his Olympics-centered visit to Beijing.

International studies professor Zhu Feng, of Peking University, told CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor that Mr. Bush's remarks were firm, but measured. "I have to say he is very careful in his wording and the word selection."

Heading eagerly on Thursday to the Beijing Olympics himself as a sports fan, Mr. Bush faced pressures all around: a desire not to embarrass China in its moment of glory, a call for strong words by those dismayed by China's repression, and a determination to remind the world that he has been pushing China to allow greater freedom during his presidency.

But his message was noted in China, which has already knocked Mr. Bush for intruding in its affairs by hosting Chinese dissidents at the White House ahead of the games.

"The leadership in Beijing will almost certainly find his comments irritating or objectionable," said Sophie Richardson, the Asia advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. "But they will clearly understand that the United States will not impose any real consequences if they do not make progress on human rights."

For months President Bush has taken heat from critics over his decision not to boycott the opening ceremonies in Beijing, reports CBS News chief White House correspondent Jim Axelrod. Aides have maintained that attending the ceremonies would give Mr. Bush the moral authority to speak clearly to Chinese leaders.

Seeking an event scrubbed free of protest, China has rounded up opponents and slapped restrictions on journalists, betraying promises made when China landed the hosting rights.

At least two women who have protested being evicted from their homes ahead of the Olympics were rounded up and taken to a police station, amid ramped up efforts Thursday by activists to use the games to spotlight their causes.

Zhang Wei and Ma Xiulan, who have been vocal about the pain of losing their family compounds near Tiananmen Square to make way for Olympic construction, were taken from their homes late Wednesday and early Thursday morning, according to Ma.

Also Thursday, a second protest by three Americans in Tiananmen Square was stopped by security agents, including at least one plainclothes police officer, who blocked the group from view with umbrellas before grabbing their arms and leading them away.

Another group of foreigners, pro-Tibet activists, were detained Wednesday after climbing up lamp poles outside the Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, and putting up banners proclaiming "Free Tibet."

Two of the four detained activists from Students for a Free Tibet - both of them British - were deported to Frankfurt, Germany, group spokesman Matt Whitticase said Thursday.

The other two, Americans Phill Bartell from Denver, Colo., and Tirian Mink from Portland, Ore., were also deported and en route to San Francisco on Thursday.

Meanwhile, U.S. Olympic gold medal speed skater Joey Cheek had his invitation to the Beijing Games torn up at the last minute, presumably for his outspoken stance as founder of "Team Darfur," a group of athletes that raises awareness of the plight of refugees in Sudan.

"Less than 24 hours before my flight was to take off, I got a call," Cheek told CBS News "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith. "When I asked for a reason for revoking my visa, they said they weren't required to give one. So I really couldn't tell you why."

"We've at times been critical of the Chinese government's involvement in Sudan, and I think rightfully so. We have been adamant from the very beginning that every athlete has to follow the absolute letter of the law for the IOC rules and Chinese laws. I've never advocated any sort of radical extreme views. We think athletes should have the right to be able to talk about issues around the world."

Foreigners who protest Beijing's human rights record or official policy of atheism on Chinese soil normally face deportation.

Chinese who demonstrate would face detention and hours of questioning by police, at the very least.

The arrests and detentions were part of stringent security measures for the games by Chinese communist authorities determined that the Olympics should be an international showcase for the country.

With the world's eyes turned on Beijing in anticipation of the games, which start Friday, activists have stepped up their protests to publicize their causes. The groups so far have been small and police have acted with relative restraint. No arrests were reported although the Beijing Olympics organizing committee condemned the demonstrations.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)