Miliband opposes Beijing Olympics boycott

LONDON (Reuters) - Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Saturday he opposed a boycott of the Beijing Olympics but would discuss political and civil rights with Chinese officials during a visit to Asia next week.

Rights groups are pressing Miliband to highlight human rights, freedom of religion and the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region during his six-day visit to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chongqing and Beijing, which begins on Sunday.

Some politicians and activists have called for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics in August to protest at China's human rights record or its stance on Darfur and Myanmar.

Oscar-winning film director Steven Spielberg withdrew last week as an artistic adviser to the Beijing Games over China's policy on Darfur, where a five-year conflict has killed an estimated 200,000 people and driven 2.5 million from their homes.

Beijing is a major investor in Sudan's oil industry and the largest supplier of weapons to the East African country.

"I do not support an Olympic boycott. I do support engagement with China on the need to work together internationally to nurture the potential gains of globalisation," Miliband said on his blog.

Prince Charles, a longstanding supporter of Tibet, will also not attend the Games, although aides will not say why.

Beijing rejects attempts to use the Games to influence its policies.

Miliband said he wanted to discuss with Chinese officials "how they see political development and the place of individual political and civil rights within their system".