Diplomatic alert after break-in at Chinese Embassy

WELLINGTON - The Diplomatic Protection Squad is playing down links between a break-in at the Chinese Embassy at the weekend and President Jiang Zemin's arrival this week.

Protection squad head Inspector Tom Stenhouse said he was investigating the implications of the break-in on Saturday night, but the incident, foiled by a staff member, appeared to be a run-of-the-mill burglary.

"I am conscious that Apec is almost on us, I am conscious the President is almost with us, so naturally I've looked to see if there is any connection. I can't see [one] at this time."

President Jiang is due in Auckland on Saturday for the Apec summit, and is expected to visit Wellington between September 13 and 16.

A spokesman for the embassy said it could not comment.

Detective Sergeant Darrin Thomson said the burglar fled after an embassy resident disturbed him. A police search failed to find any trace of the intruder and nothing was stolen.

Mr Stenhouse said he did not want to discuss details of how the man gained entry, for security reasons. "It could indicate a vulnerable area."

He said it was not known if the embassy was reviewing security arrangements.

- NZPA