Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made that statement while releasing the State Department's annual report on international religious freedom.

She said religious freedom is a good way to promote more just and compassionate societies.

Clinton said religious expression should be viewed with tolerance, not suppression.

In a news briefing at the State Department, Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner said China continues to be a nation of particular concern in the area of religious freedom.

He cited ongoing, troubling trends and said religious freedom will be "part of the U.S.-Chinese dialogue for a long time." Posner noted that there's a growing recognition among many world leaders that religious freedom needs closer attention.

Also on the list of the world's worst offenders of religious freedom abuse are Iran and North Korea.

(Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)