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Chinese Authorities Ignore Bush Call for Greater Religious Freedom VOA News 22 Feb 2002 14:16 UTC 
President Bush's appeal for more religious freedom in China apparently failed to persuade authorities in Beijing.
A human rights group says China's government detained at least 47 Christians while the U.S. leader was in Beijing. The Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy says authorities in the Chinese capital charged the worshippers with holding an illegal gathering.
Many of the Christians were still reported under arrest after Mr. Bush left China.
Before the U.S. leader arrived, police in Beijing sealed off Tiananmen Square as well as the area near Mr. Bush's hotel.
Several Chinese dissidents say authorities harassed them during the U.S. president's visit. One dissident, former political prisoner Jin Cheng, said police barricaded his door and would not let him leave his house.
Another dissident, Xu Yonghai, who works at a Beijing hospital, says police officers in civilian clothing were stationed around the building. No one was allowed to enter without permission.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
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