China has, however, signed an agreement with its communist ally to return refugees back to North Korea where they face imprisonment, torture, and sometimes execution for leaving the country - a state crime.
In defense of its actions, China has claimed North Koreans entering its country are "economic migrants" and not refugees and it consequently has the right to return them.
"We have to hold China's face to the light and feet to the fire," said Carl Moeller, President of Open Doors USA, at a rally in April. "If the world doesn't stand up and hold China accountable in its policy on repatriation, then it is responsible for the death of thousands every year."
Open Doors, a ministry working with persecuted churches, last week announced its initiative to "blanket China in prayer" - a one year campaign to pray for a spiritual change in China. The year of prayer will run from 8 August 2007 to 8 August 2008, the first day of the Beijing Olympics.
"The Beijing Olympics presents an awesome opportunity for believers in the West to unite in prayer ... not only for our fellow Christians but for the communist government of China to grant religious freedom to all worshippers, especially house church members," said Moeller.
"And an opportunity to pray for those dedicated Christians who are being persecuted," he added.
Meanwhile, other Christian mission groups around the world have said they plan to evangelise at the Beijing Games despite China's ban on foreign missionaries.
Due to security concerns, some Christian organisers cannot reveal details of their plans, while others have said they plan to put on cultural and sports events - which China allows - and use them to share their faith, according to AP.
The Southern Baptists will bring thousands of volunteers for humanitarian work, sports clinics, first aid sites and other projects.
Youth With A Mission (YWAM) - an international Christian ministry well-known for its Olympic outreaches - is planning a "2008 Olympics Discipleship Training School" in Brazil next year, after which it will send volunteers to the games.
"With a draw like the Olympics, we just pray our 'forces' will be so large that we will be able to form many relationships," said Mark Taylor of Awaken Generation, a ministry for college-age Christians. The Florida-based group plans to send evangelism teams of eight to 12 people around China during the competition.
Critics of Beijing's intelligence efforts have warned that its activities could be more harmful than helpful to its public image, reports the news agency. The communist government could draw negative media reports if it is found guilty of withholding visas or using harsh tactics to suppress protests - a risk China is aware of given the coverage of growing protest against China's human rights and religious freedom violations.
