Chinese official says he did not bully Dunne

1.00pm

A Chinese embassy official says he did not bully United Future leader Peter Dunne but simply represented his country's one China policy.

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff is investigating the diplomatic incident after Mr Dunne yesterday told Parliament he had been bullied by an official from the Chinese Embassy in Wellington because of his support for Taiwan.

Mr Dunne said the embassy official contacted his office "angrily...abusing me for my attendance at the inauguration of President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan".

He asked Mr Goff to tell the Chinese ambassador that interference in the affairs of New Zealanders was unacceptable.

Mr Goff said he would take it up.

"It is quite inappropriate for any member of this House to be told what to do or how to do it. That is a decision for an elected representative, and not the embassy of an overseas country," he said.

Mr Dunne later issued a statement saying he wondered how many other New Zealanders had been "bullied" by the Chinese because of their contact with Taiwan.

The MP is a strong supporter of official recognition of Taiwan.

The Government supports the one China policy which means it does not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but hopes for the peaceful and mutually acceptable reunification of China and Taiwan.

The official from the Chinese Embassy, Zhang Wei, said today Mr Dunne was interfering in China's business.

He had called Mr Dunne firstly to confirm that he was going to Taiwan to attend the inauguration, and also to reiterate China's posititon on Taiwan and show "dissatisfaction and disappointment" over Mr Dunne going there.

Mr Zhang said it was common for diplomats to express their country's positions on issues.

He was astonished Mr Dunne had called him a bully, he told National Radio.

"I speak to his staff member in a very calm voice and very polite voice. Nothing can be said as bully(ing)."


Mr Zhang said he was not interfering, Mr Dunne was "interfering into our country's internal affairs".

He had felt that if he explained China's position, Mr Dunne would not go to Taiwan.

"He should be consistent with the government policy," Mr Zhang said, adding he did understand that not every New Zealander would share the Government's position.

"New Zealand should not send wrong signals to Chen Shui-bian to encourage him on his way to Taiwan independence but others should persuade him, to tell him, that (the) two sides across Taiwan Strait should sit down and discuss how to resolve the problems now.

"I'm not telling what MPs should do or should not do. But on the other hand I just show our Government's position," Mr Zhang said.

Nearly 170 countries recognised the one China policy while some 20 countries recognised Taiwan.

Another embassy official had spoken to the National Party's whip about National MP John Key also attending the inauguration ceremony.

Mr Dunne said Mr Zhang came from a country that was neither free or democratic so would not understand these concepts.

He had been personally invited by Mr Chen to attend his inauguration.

It was "grossly unacceptable" for Mr Zhang to call his office in what his staff took as "abuse".

Mr Zhang's call would not change his position at all and he would continue to advocate Taiwan's independence, Mr Dunne said.

He had written to Mr Goff expressing his concern and seeking his assurance he would follow up the matter.

Mr Dunne's party has a support agreement with the Government, and United Future's votes ensure it has a majority in Parliament.

The Government will be hoping the issue does not have any effect on negotiations that are taking place with China to secure a free trade agreement between the two countries.

- NZPA