Kyoto, Japan ? President Bush prodded China today to grant more political freedom to its 1.3 billion people and held up archrival Taiwan as a society that successfully moved from repression to democracy as it opened its economy.

In remarks sure to rile Beijing, Bush suggested China should follow Taiwan’s path.

“Modern Taiwan is free and democratic and prosperous. By embracing freedom at all levels, Taiwan has delivered prosperity to its people and created a free and democratic Chinese society,” the president said.

He delivered that message to China both in a speech and in a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, an unflinching ally despite the president’s record-low popularity and mounting problems at home. Koizumi supported the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and made an unpopular decision to send noncombat troops there in January 2004.

That mission expires next month, and Koizumi was noncommittal about whether he would extend it. Bush did not press Koizumi publicly about the troops, saying it was a decision for Japan’s government.

The two leaders reaffirmed their united stand about North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, demanding that it be verifiably dismantled.

Prime Minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi, right, points out the Golden Pavilion to U.S. President George W. Bush, center, during their visit today in Kyoto, Japan. Also with them is Temple Master Raitei Arima, left. Bush opened a four-nation Asia trip by visiting Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital and home to 1,600 Buddhist temples and more than 400 Shinto shrines.

Ahead of a weekend visit to Beijing, Bush bluntly urged China to grant more freedom.

“What I say to the Chinese, as well as to others, is that a free society is in your interest,” Bush said. “To allow people to worship freely, for example, in your society is part of a stable, mature society. And that leadership should not fear freedoms within their society.”

Bush and Koizumi praised each other and glossed over lingering problems, such as Japan’s ban on U.S. beef imports. Tokyo is moving closer to easing the ban. The two leaders also acknowledged unhappiness by many in Okinawa about a new agreement to realign America’s military presence in Japan. Koizumi said he hoped opponents would rethink their opposition, and Bush said it was a matter for the prime minister and the people of Japan.

Japan was the first stop on a journey that also will take Bush to South Korea, China and Mongolia.

China’s foreign minister brushed off Bush’s comments about Taiwan and political freedoms.

“We have to work hard and not pay attention to those people who talk about this or that, upsetting our sense of self, especially when it comes to our love of the motherland,” Li Zhaoxing told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of Pacific Rim economies in South Korea.