Dunne passes on trip to China
Mr Dunne, a long-time unashamed supporter of Taiwan, said UnitedFuture supported a free trade agreement with mainland China because it was in the best long-term interests of New Zealand.
At the same time, we believe it is entirely proper to make our views publicly known about the Chinese Governments bloody crackdown on its Tibetan citizens, Mr Dunne said.
New Zealands close relationship placed New Zealand politicians in the privileged position of being able to comment forcefully on Chinas human rights record, he said.
Mr Dunne joins a growing chorus of voices from the Green Party and NZ First expressing reservations about the deal. The Greens and the Maori Party share Mr Dunnes human rights concerns.
Earlier this month Prime Minister Helen Clark introduced a motion to Parliament calling on Chinese authorities to respond `carefully and proportionately to protests in Tibet.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters told a Stratford Grey Power audience last week he wanted assurances on just how a free trade agreement with China would benefit New Zealand before he could subscribe to it.
The terms of the agreement are poised to be endorsed by Parliament with support expected from UnitedFuture, Labour, National, ACT and Progressive.
Posted
on
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 at 1:30 am under