Letter voices China concern

“It is important Hobart voters understand that Chinese candidate Yongbei Tang does not represent the majority of the Chinese community in Hobart.

“We, the undersigned, do not endorse … her hiding of titles of many organisations including her association with the Chinese government.”

Ms Tang, an Australian citizen and Tasmanian resident of 20 years, has repeatedly denied she has links to the Chinese Communist Party, despite her former and apparent current membership of several party or Chinese government-linked groups. This included a stint on the board of the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China, which, according to its registration, “insists on the one China principle [and] opposes all words and actions of splitting the land and sovereignty of China”.

University of Tasmania Chinese studies senior lecturer Mark Harrison said the group’s position was in line with the Chinese government’s stance on Taiwan but at odds with the Australian Government’s one China policy. Ms Tang has previously said she quit the board because she realised it was troublesome.

Ms Tang yesterday pointed out she was the president of the Chinese Cultural Society of Tasmania “which has existed for more than 10 years”.

“I am also a writer and write on my social media every day,” Ms Tang said.

An article attached to Ms Tang’s magazine, Chinese News Tasmania, published last month accused Tasmanian media of “throwing mud” at the would-be alderman because it was scared of a rise in the Chinese community.

“We need to put a nail in Tasmania’s politics and add another one four years later,” that article said.