KEY POINTS:
A ceremonial lion will roar at the Chinese Embassy in Wellington today bearing a petition opposing human rights abuses in that country signed by thousands of New Zealanders.
The "lion declaration" has just completed a six-week tour of the country, taking Amnesty International's "Human Rights Reform in China" campaign from Invercargill to Kaikohe.
The declaration, signed on a 2.5m ceremonial lion shape, is a call of solidarity with the victims of Chinese abuses and a challenge to the Chinese Government to deliver on its promise to improve human rights in the lead-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Campaigners have visited city and district councils the length and breadth of the country seeking support for their message of solidarity with the people of China.
Campaigns manager Gary Reese said the responses were varied.
While the petition obtained the signatures of eight mayors, some refused to meet the campaigners.
Mr Reese said they had invited the Chinese ambassador to receive the petition today but had yet to receive a response.
The group is gathering at the embassy in Kelburn at 1pm, where a traditional two-person Chinese lion will perform to drums.
Yesterday marked the 18th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
- NZPA
