12 May 2000

GOVERNMENT’S TIMID, SCARED ATTITUDE TO CHINA A HUMILIATION FOR ALL NEW ZEALANDERS

United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne, has slammed the New Zealand Government’s attitude to relations with China as a humiliation for all New Zealanders.

He says that the Government’s “feverish scurrying” to reassure the Chinese Government that this week’s historic vote in Parliament in favour of Taiwan did not represent a change in the one-China policy was nothing more than “forelock tugging grovelling of the worst type.”

“I find it embarrassing that this country is so timid and scared that it has to rush around offering ‘sorry, sir’ explanations to the Chinese Embassy for a democratic decision of its own Parliament.”

“For their part, the Chinese must be laughing at our Government’s reaction, because it confirms that they have us twisted around their little finger.”

“As the Chinese President proved in Christchurch last year, they only have to say ‘jump’ and we respond ‘how high’, even in our own country, no matter how reprehensible the request.”

“This is disgracefully absurd,” he says.

Mr Dunne says it is time New Zealand had the courage to review its existing policy towards China and Taiwan.

“The current one-China formula is unrealistic and outmoded.”

“China is using rigid adherence to the formula to prevent a constructive solution to the situation of both China and Taiwan, and while the world plays the game on China’s terms, there is no incentive on it to make progress or to democratise itself.”

“If international pressure was to build towards recognition of Taiwan, China would be forced to listen.”

“New Zealand showed the world that as a small country it could take a strong moral lead against the superpowers on the nuclear issue and it was successful.”

“Now is the time to show the courage to apply the same moral leadership to the Taiwan issue,” he says.

ENDS

New Zealand’s Liberal Party

MEDIA STATEMENT
HON PETER DUNNE, MP
LEADER UNITED NEW ZEALAND
Parliament Buildings, Wellington 1.
Ph(04)471 9410 or (025) 469 808. Fax (04)499 7266.
e-mail: peter.dunne@parliament.govt.nz. Internet Address: http://www.united.org.nz

New Zealand’s Liberal Party

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