KEY POINTS:
Pockets of violence marred an otherwise upbeat pro-China rally in Aotea Square where thousands of Chinese came out in support of their home country and the Beijing Olympics.
The square was yesterday overflowing with large red Chinese flags which were enthusiastically waved around despite persistent rain, as well as a few New Zealand flags.
The huge crowd chanted in Chinese "Proud of China" while speakers expressed their desire for politics and sport to be kept separate.
But scuffles broke out, undermining the message. One outside the Auckland Town Hall involved Chinese and a small group of Tibetan supporters.
Sean Turnbull, with a Tibetan flag draped over his shoulders, said he had held the flag out above the crowd, which reacted angrily.
"I was standing up with the Tibetan flag when they all came rushing. They ripped off our flags and I took a few punches to the head."
In another incident, bystander Daniel Klein said three of his friends were taken away by police aftera verbal exchange with thepro-China marchers turned physical.
He said two women argued with the marchers near the intersection of Queen and Victoria Sts just after 2pm.
Mr Klein said about 150 Chinese surrounded his friends.
"They start punching with the flags on the girls and they start punching back. It became a big fight. There was five locals and around 10 or 15 of the big mass of Chinese people."
Travis Rapana, who said the marchers were allowed to "run wild" on Queen St, said he saw another scuffle between marchers and passersby on Queen St.
"It was pretty intense," said Mr Rapana. "There was a lot of intimidation going on. A lot of people didn't like it - a lot of Kiwis didn't like it."
Police estimated the crowd topped 2000 people and said there were three arrests - a man was arrested for disorderly behaviour and, in a separate incident, two women were arrested for assault. They said none were pro-China demonstrators.
The flare-ups did not destroy the happy mood of most there. One speaker said the Chinese here loved both China and New Zealand and it was time to celebrate humanity and all cultures.
"Friends, let's unite together in the Olympic spirit," he said to a huge cheer. Another speaker urged people to attend the Games and experience China's economic progress. "Also come to our beautiful Tibet and experience its magic culture and progress in improving its standard of living."
Some carried signs expressing their view that China had not been given fair media coverage, particularly by the American network CNN.
New Zealand resident Ming Li told the Herald overseas media had in some cases misrepresented the Tibetan situation. "I think it's unfair because Chinese have been working very hard to develop Tibet. It's not right to say they are killing Tibetans."'
Mr Li acknowledged there were human rights problems in "some places" in China and respected the right of media to report that.
"We're not bad people ... we try and improve China."
There were not many overt references to Tibet at the rally, but a few signs read "Tibet will always be part of China".
A pro-Tibetan banner held up at the edge of Aotea Square drew attention from some who forced the pair holding it to the other side of Queen St.
- additional reporting Martha McKenzie-Minifie
