BANGKOK, August 6, 2008 (AFP) - The United States is in 'firm opposition' to China's detention of dissidents, President George W. Bush will say Thursday on the eve of the Beijing Olympics, according to an advance copy of his speech.

'The United States believes the people of China deserve the fundamental liberty that is the natural right of all human beings,' he will say in Thailand, one day before attending the opening ceremony of the Games.

'So America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents, human rights advocates and religious activists.'