He plans to discuss trade, currency and human rights during his two-day visit.

He plans to discuss trade, currency and human rights during his two-day visit.
BEIJING (AP) -- By taking a front-row seat at a worship service today, President Bush sent a loud signal to China's communist leaders that they must allow their people more freedom.
"It wasn't all that long ago that people were not allowed to worship openly in this society," the president said after the hourlong service. "My hope is that the government of China will not fear the Christians who gather to worship openly. A healthy society is a society that welcomes all faiths."
In a day of talks, the president was expected to trumpet a trade concession from China. He also was to prod Chinese leaders about currency system changes, human rights and the piracy of American movies, computer programs and other copyright material. Bush also was seeking China's cooperation on North Korea, Iran, Syria and other trouble spots.
Warmly welcomed
Bush, however, chose to make the worship service his first public event during a two-day state visit to China. The significance of Bush's visit to the church, a modest marble-and-brick building tucked off an alley, was clear to the congregation of about 400.
Bush received a standing ovation when he entered the sanctuary, which looked much like a classroom with wooden movie theater seats. There was more applause when the pastor announced his presence, and members of the choir assembled outside to see Bush off afterward.
"The spirit of the Lord is very strong inside your church," Bush said.
The service at Gangwashi Church, one of five officially recognized Protestant churches in Beijing, was in Chinese, but its structure and content would have be familiar to any Protestant parishioner in the United States. Bush and other guests listened to a translation over headphones.
In the church's guest book, Bush wrote "May God bless the Christians of China."
Under the president's inscription, the first lady wrote: "And with love and respect, Laura Bush."
President's concerns
This month, the State Department cited China, a land of 1.3 billion people, as one of eight countries of "particular concern" for denying religious freedom. The White House urged China's state-controlled media not to censor news of Bush's visit, which includes meetings and dinner with China's top leaders.
China's massive trade surplus with the United States -- likely to hit $200 billion this year -- is a political headache for Bush. So it was good news when he heard upon his arrival that Beijing was buying 70 of Chicago-based Boeing Co.'s 737 planes.
The administration said the purchase was "a testament to how our approach to China is yielding real results." But Bush said China needs to do more "to provide a level playing field for American farmers and businesses seeking access to China's market."
He said China had made a good start by promising to protect intellectual property rights, move toward a more market-based currency and ease the trade imbalance. "But China needs to take action to ensure these goals are fully implemented," Bush said in his weekly radio address Saturday.
Bush was to meet with President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.
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