|PIC1|Foreign Secretary David Miliband must not "squander" the opportunity to raise concerns over religious freedom and human rights abuses during his current visit to China, says Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

The Christian persecution watchdog said it was "gravely concerned" by "serious" reports that have emerged in the run up to the Olympic Games detailing breaches of religious freedom against believers in China.

According to the most recent report to emerge, the President of the Inner Mongolia Branch of the Chinese House Church Alliance, Wang Dawei, and 40 co-workers were detained last Wednesday after 100 police officers from the State Security Bureau raided a Bible study, according to the monitoring agency China Aid Association (CAA).

Items confiscated by the police included money from the offertory and 30 boxes of Christian literature. The whereabouts of a South Korean minister who was detained during the raid remain unknown.

Last week, CAA reported what it believes is the largest mass sentencing of Christians in 25 years, after 21 house church leaders were sentenced to one year and three months in labour camp for 're-education'.

CAA believes that the Chinese Government is attempting to break apart the house church movement in the approach to the Beijing Olympics.

CSW's Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, said Miliband had a "prime opportunity" to raise concerns over human rights abuses and religious freedom violations taking place in China.

"At the end of last year President Hu Jintao stated that China has a policy of religious freedom, yet the reality for many believers on the ground remains in stark contrast to such claims," he said.

"While oppressed Christians are unable to represent themselves directly, the United Kingdom should demonstrate its commitment to human rights by raising these concerns and seeking concrete assurances about how China's practice will be brought into line with its rhetoric.

"While China is playing such a prominent role in international affairs it is right for the authorities to be urged to adhere to international rules and standards."

He appealed to Mr Miliband "not to squander this opportunity to raise freedom of religion" and "to work to improve the lives of the many Christians harassed or imprisoned as a result of their faith".

Mr Miliband will remain in China until 29 February, visiting a number of cities including Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chongqing and Beijing.