Mr Bush siad that China had nothing to fear from allowing freedom of religion, after attending the service.

'Laura and I just had the great joy and privilege of worshiping here in Beijing,' he said as he left the Kuanjie Protestant church with his wife.

'You know, it just goes to show that God is universal, and God is love, and no state, man or woman should fear the influence of loving religion,' the US leader told reporters.

Mr Bush, in China since Thursday on a visit to the Olympics combined with some high-end diplomacy, attended the service Sunday morning, according to an AFP photographer at the scene.

He has repeatedly returned to the theme of religious freedom in China during his trip to the Far East in recent days, and during his presidency.

He has also pledged to raise the question of human rights when he meets with Chinese leaders later on Sunday. He was due to meet Hu at 12.30pm.

During a visit to Seoul earlier this week, Mr Bush insisted he would not back down from his support for religious freedoms while in China.

'I have been meeting Chinese leaders for 7 1/2 years and my message has been the same: you should not fear religious people in your society,' Mr Bush told a press conference.

'As a matter of fact, religious people will make your society a better place.'

Critics say Mr Bush should have boycotted the Olympic opening ceremony because of China's rights record. The US leader defended his decision.

He said his reasons for going to the Games were twofold: 'One, to show my respect for the people of China; and two, to cheer on the US team.' -- AFP