Activist to face Chinese protests

Auckland-based Chinese are planning protests against the visit to the city next week of Uighur rights activist Rebiya Kadeer.

Calls for demonstrations at the venues where Ms Kadeer will be holding public meetings are being posted online at the local Chinese forum website skykiwi.com, according to Dorathy Li, its chief editor.

"New Zealand will not let Osama bin Laden in because it is afraid of America. Why do they let a terrorist like Kadeer in when they know it will hurt and offend the Chinese people," said a student who spoke to the Weekend Herald in Mandarin.

The caller, who identified himself only as Willie, said about 20 students would stage a demonstration at Auckland Airport on Monday morning, when Ms Kadeer is expected to arrive.

China has put pressure on Australia and Taiwan not to grant her a visa.

As a result, Taiwan has banned her, but NZ Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman this week issued a visa for Ms Kadeer to come here.

The University of Auckland, where she was due to speak, cancelled the venue booking, citing security concerns - a move that has upset its students' association.

"Universities have a clear role in New Zealand to act as the critic and conscience of society, and it comes at certain costs," said association president Darcy Peacock.

"It is absolutely disgraceful that the University of Auckland is unwilling to provide the necessary security to support Ms Kadeer.

"The sorry state of tertiary education funding in New Zealand means that the university relies heavily on the export education market in countries such as China."

Green MP Keith Locke, who will be hosting Ms Kadeer during her New Zealand tour, said he had also been informed that protests were being discussed and organised on local Chinese websites.