Maori TV defies China on doco

Maori Television will screen a documentary about the struggles of a Muslim minority group in China, despite pressure from the Chinese Government.

Officials from the Chinese Embassy met Maori Television representatives in Auckland yesterday and asked them to cancel plans to show the documentary, claiming it distorted facts about China's policies regarding treatment of ethnic minorities.

The film, 10 Conditions of Love, is about the struggle of Muslim Uighur people in Xinjiang, the scene of recent ethnic riots, and their figurehead, Rebiya Kadeer.

Maori Television chief executive Jim Mather said officials led by deputy head of mission Zhou Hen alleged Ms Kadeer was linked to terrorist groups - an accusation Mr Mather said Ms Kadeer denied.

The documentary's producer, John Lewis, hailed the decision to go ahead with the screening as "courageous" and was surprised the Chinese would "pick on" Maori TV.

"As a small producer, we have been astonished by the clumsiness of the Chinese response and are deeply grateful for the stupendous publicity we have received."

Beijing has produced its own documentary, Xinjiang Urumqi July 5 Riot: Truth, accusing Ms Kadeer of instigating and orchestrating the ethnic riots last month that left at least 197 people dead.

The Australian documentary, which will screen on September 1, centres on Ms Kadeer and husband, Sidik Rouzi's struggle for autonomy and religious freedom for the mostly Muslim Uighurs in their homeland.