7 December 2004

Hon Matt Robson MP, Progressive Deputy Leader

Fair trade with China doesn't mean silence on human rights

New Zealand's desire to lower unfair barriers on our exports into China doesn't mean we should ever tone down our championing of human rights or our support for democratic renewal in China, says Progressive MP Matt Robson.

Council of Trade Unions' president Ross Wilson today criticized the government of China's decision to postpone a seminar on labour standards which was due to be held there next week.

"It is good news that we have a government that is committed to engaging with China and helping put practical measures in place to facilitate greater access to China's important market for our exporters.

"But it is important to remember that while our government seeks preferential access to China's large and growing market that doesn't ever mean that the Chinese government is off-limits to public criticism because all governments must always be open to public scrutiny," the Progressive MP said.

"Abuses of human rights and the suppression of democratic unions must continue to be highlighted by democrats the world over. Chinese workers will organise, as they have done before, for democracy and better working conditions and democrats from outside China must always lend them public support to do so," Matt Robson said.

"As China increasingly opens up to the world, and its people grow in wealth, there is no doubt at all that the forces of democracy will grow in China and the government of China can expect democrats everywhere to support and encourage that development," the Progressive MP said.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>