“We know you are personally committed to protecting the vulnerable and expanding the rule of law,” he added. “During your visit, we hope you will convey those convictions and similar convictions held by all Americans in tangible ways, not only to China's leaders, but also to its people.”
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| U.S. President Barack Obama, center, walks past the Chinese guards of honor upon arrival at the Beijing International Airport in Beijing, China, Monday, Nov. 16, 2009. |
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As a bipartisan federal body, USCIRF assesses, proposes, and presses for U.S. foreign policy action to advance freedom of thought, conscience, and religion and other freedoms needed to protect people at risk of abuses, such as killing, detention, or torture. USCIRF was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments.