NZ cancels meeting with HK advocates

WELLINGTON: New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Bill English cancelled a meeting with two senior Hong Kong democracy supporters this week on advice from his foreign office, he said yesterday, underscoring a delicate relationship with Communist Party-ruled China.

English said in an emailed statement that he cancelled the meeting with former Hong Kong legislator Martin Lee and former colonial chief secretary Anson Chan on the eve of the appointment after he was advised it was “diplomatically sensitive”.

New Zealand has been more careful than neighbour Australia to not offend China, as both Pacific countries jostle for export opportunities in the Asian giant.

“This is the first time it’s happened to me like this, a meeting was cancelled at the last minute,” Lee said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying declined to comment during a routine briefing, saying she “did not understand the situation”.

Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula, which guarantees it freedom not enjoyed on the mainland.

Dozens of pro-Beijing lawmakers walked out of the Hong Kong legislature on Wednesday to prevent the swearing-in of two pro-independence activists, setting the scene for a new constitutional crisis.

Lee had for decades campaigned for democracy for Hong Kong. Chan said China should trust Hong Kong people to pick their own leader.

China became New Zealand’s largest trading partner after a Free Trade Agreement in 2008, making New Zealand the first western country to sign such a deal.

English, who advised Lee and Chan of the cancellation by email, said that it was “not uncommon” for the Foreign Affairs Minister to advise on meetings with overseas visitors. The Foreign Affairs office did not reply to a request for comment on its advice. Reuters