By FRAN O’SULLIVAN
The Government has been warned that it must respect China’s internal policies on Taiwan and Tibet if it wishes to achieve a closer partnership.
Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to Auckland Museum yesterday was delayed as officials worked out how he would avoid 100 protesters demanding Taiwanese independence.
President Hu’s motorcade was held up outside the museum grounds while Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing was sent to inspect arrangements.
“I heard that there was some disturbance so I went there to have a look for myself,” Mr Li told the Herald.
“There I met with the Prime Minister and she was so kind and so understanding. She said she would take care of it – she would be a very good host.”
President Hu’s motorcade took on a double-line formation as it moved up to the museum. Another car was interposed next to the President’s, cutting off his view of the protesters.
When he stepped from the car, Helen Clark and Mr Li ensured he faced the many flag-waving Chinese present, rather than the protesters.
President Hu did not comment publicly.
But in a frank interview with the Herald, Mr Li said everyone in New Zealand who “respects facts and has a sense of justice” should be concerned.
“I don’t think it is proper for troublemakers to be permitted to make trouble here,” Mr Li said.
“I believe everybody who respects facts and has a sense of justice should be concerned.
“The basic fact and truth is that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China.
“The question of Taiwan falls into the category of China’s domestic affairs – we certainly and absolutely cannot tolerate or allow Taiwan independence.”
Mr Li said President Hu’s party was happy that the New Zealand Government had reaffirmed its willingness and readiness to abide by the One China policy and affirm the Chinese Government’s policy on Tibet.
“If these principles and positions are respected everything else is easy to understand and address,” he said.
His comments are in line with similar remarks made by President Hu in his Australian visit.
Helen Clark last night refused to comment.
“There was no sense whatsoever that the Government in any way endorsed the views of the protesters,” said Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade official Tony Browne.
Trade and economic issues have been at the top of President Hu’s agenda.
Throughout the past three days, he has impressed politicians and businesspeople as a man on top of his brief, with an extraordinary grasp of detail.
At Sunday’s state dinner he pointed to a 30 per cent increase in the growth rate for bilateral trade as a reason for consultations on a trade and economic framework.
National leader Bill English was impressed by the emphasis President Hu placed on the role his predecessor, Jenny Shipley, played by backing China’s early accession to the World Trade Organisation.
“This is a person who is leading the largest change management process the world has seen for so many people,” Mr English said, sparking inevitable questions over whether his party would need change management assistance after today’s leadership vote.
Green MP Metiria Turei defended her decision to try to approach the Chinese President with a letter from a Tibetan group at Sunday night’s state dinner in Auckland.
Helen Clark’s spokesman said yesterday that the Prime Minister considered Ms Turei’s actions “highly inappropriate behaviour for an MP”.
Ms Turei disputed the comment, saying no drama, shouting, flag-waving or bad behaviour had been involved.
The spokesman’s comments would indicate MPs were not able to engage in a simple, respectful dialogue with visiting officials, she said.
“It’s a form of suppression. That’s just being hypersensitive and ridiculous.”
Ms Turei said she had tried to reach President Hu with a letter from the Friends of Tibet group in this country, urging the Chinese Government to hold talks with the Dalai Lama.
Other people at the dinner had been going up to talk to him and she had managed to reach his table before being stopped by a Chinese official and NZ security personnel.
They had prevented her giving the letter to the President, and at one point a security person had threatened to throw her out, she said.
Despite that, Ms Turei said the incident had been “very low key”.
Assistant Police Commissioner Jon White said later it had been made plain to Chinese officials that New Zealanders could protest as long as they were within the law.
“We have had protests which have been within the law – as far as I am aware there have been no arrests.”
