Thu Sep 27, 8:08 PM ET

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration imposed economic sanctions against more than a dozen senior officials of Myanmar on Thursday, condemning the military-run government's crackdown on protesters. President Bush also urged China to use its influence in the region to find a peaceful end to the standoff.

"The world is watching the people of Burma take to the streets to demand their freedom, and the American people stand in solidarity with these brave individuals," Bush said as the Treasury Department announced the sanctions against officials of Myanmar, also known as Burma.

"We feel admiration and compassion for the monks and peaceful protesters calling for democracy," Bush said. "Every civilized nation has a responsibility to stand up for people suffering under a brutal military regime like the one that has ruled Burma for too long."

National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley met at the White House on Thursday with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. During their meeting, Bush invited Yang to the Oval Office to thank him for helping facilitate U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari's visit to Myanmar.

"President Bush expressed his concern for the people of Burma and asked Minister Yang that China use its influence in the region to help bring a peaceful transition to democracy in Burma," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council.

The White House called on the junta to allow the U.N. special envoy full access to all relevant parties, including those jailed by the junta and religious leaders, while he is in Myanmar, beginning Friday.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice talked with officials from Myanmar while in New York attending a meeting of Southeast Asian nations.

"The U.S. is determined to keep an international focus on the travesty in Burma," Rice told reporters.

Rice also made the U.S. displeasure clear in a direct response to a statement made by one of the Myanmar officials, according to State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

"She was very direct," he said. "She made it very clear it is unacceptable for the government to use violence against these peaceful protesters."

McCormack refused to characterize the statement by the Myanmar official, but said that Rice "felt it was important to provide a response."

The action by Treasury will freeze any assets that the individuals targeted have in U.S. banks or other financial institutions under U.S. jurisdiction. The order also prohibits any U.S. citizens from doing business with the designated individuals. Among those targeted for the sanctions are the junta leader, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, and the No. 2 man in the military regime, Deputy Senior Gen. Maung Aye.

"The president has made it clear that we will not stand by as the regime tries to silence the voices of the Burmese people through repression and intimidation," said Adam Szubin, director of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The Chinese government on Thursday issued a plea for calm in Myanmar after refusing the day before to condemn the military-run government or impose sanctions.

At the United Nations on Tuesday, Bush announced that the administration would impose new sanctions against the military dictatorship in Myanmar, accusing it of imposing "a 19-year reign of fear" that denies basic freedoms of speech, assembly and worship. Since the president's speech, the State Department has entered the names of a number of Burmese government and military officials, regime supporters and their family members into its visa system to ensure they are not granted permission to visit the United States, Johndroe said.

Bush said that by its own account, the junta already has killed at least nine nonviolent demonstrators, and many others have been injured and arrested as they seek to express their views peacefully.

"I urge the Burmese soldiers and police not to use force on their fellow citizens," he said. "I call on those who embrace the values of human rights and freedom to support the legitimate demands of the Burmese people."