China protest to Rudd’s comment on Tibet
Rudd arrived in Beijing early Wednesday, kicking off his four-day official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
Rudd, who can speak fluent Chinese, had once been working at the Australian embassy in China from 1984 to 1986.
China protest to Rudd’s comment on Tibet.Ausralia Prime Minister Rudd ahed of his scheduled arrival in Beijing on Wednesday is on a four-day visit.China had lodged formal complaints both in Canberra and with the Australian embassy in Beijing about Rudd"s statement, media reports said in Melbourne.
Chinese complaints followed Rudd"s comments at his press conference with the
US President George Bush in Washington, during which he condemned human rights abuses in Tibet and called on China to engage in talks with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
“It is absolutely clear that there are human rights abuses in Tibet. That"s clear-cut; we need to be upfront and absolutely straight about what"s going on," Rudd had said.
On his remarks Chinese ambassador to Australia, Zhang Junsai, conveyed his country"s displeasure, a reaction to a Foreign Affairs official in Canberra, Chinese authorities expressed similar views to the Australian ambassador in
Beijing.
Aussie premier Rudd who left Britain for Beijing on Tuesday had said at the London School of Economics that China, like everybody else, was operating in a free market.
“The market, while driving up the price of ore and coal, had given China a bargain on Australian liquefied natural gas," Rudd said, adding it had been guaranteed a long-term supply at a third of the current market rate.
In 2002, China secured USD 25 billion contract for supply of LNG for 25-year which had no provision for renegotiation of price, which has since soared.
China did very well out of that deal," Rudd said adding ask a Chinese importer of iron ore on Wednesday how they are going and they will give you the reverse story.
Rudd in his speech at Beijing University, said "a strong relationship and a true friendship were built on the ability to engage in direct, frank and ongoing dialogue about our fundamental interests and future vision".
He held press conference at the Australian Embassy in Beijing, Mr Rudd said he expected a Chinese reaction to his comments but repeated his belief that ties between the two countries were strong enough to support differences and that he had long experience in China.
"The relationship with China is always going to be complex and challenging. I accept that," Mr Rudd said.
"I think this relationship is broad enough to tolerate disagreement, and on these questions I will be putting my views forthrightly."
Mr Rudd, a former diplomat in China, is spending four days in China on the last leg of his 17-day world tour. He has discussed the issue of Tibet with several world leaders, including President George W. Bush, who last month called on Chinese President Hu Jintao to open a dialogue with the Dalai Lama's representatives.
The White House yesterday refused to rule out Mr Bush missing the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in August, noting that it never said he would attend the event.
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda too joined the protests yesterday, saying that China bears responsibility over recent unrest in Tibet. Mr Fukada called on Beijing to resolve the problem peacefully. "I think China is the most responsible over the issue. I hope they will deal with it in a calm manner and resolve the issue through dialogue," he said.
Mr Rudd yesterday stood by the comments he made in Washington and London, in which he criticised China's human rights record in Tibet and also called on the Dalai Lama's representatives.
Despite the public dispute with the Chinese officials, Mr Rudd was uncompromising in his continued support for China's staging of the Olympics and his opposition to any boycotts.
"It will be a chance for China to engage directly with the world, both on the sports field and on the streets of Beijing," he said.
"Some have called for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics because of recent problems in Tibet. I do not agree.
"I believe the Olympics are important for China's continuing engagement with the world. Australia, like most other countries, recognises China's sovereignty over Tibet.
"But we also believe it is necessary to recognise there are significant human rights problems in Tibet. We recognise the need for all parties to avoid violence and find a solution through dialogue."
The Olympic torch relay has been engulfed in controversy. Despite the chaos on the torch's European legs, Mr Rudd said Australia
Rudd, who can speak fluent Chinese, had once been working at the Australian embassy in China from 1984 to 1986.
China protest to Rudd’s comment on Tibet.Ausralia Prime Minister Rudd ahed of his scheduled arrival in Beijing on Wednesday is on a four-day visit.China had lodged formal complaints both in Canberra and with the Australian embassy in Beijing about Rudd"s statement, media reports said in Melbourne.
Chinese complaints followed Rudd"s comments at his press conference with the
US President George Bush in Washington, during which he condemned human rights abuses in Tibet and called on China to engage in talks with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
“It is absolutely clear that there are human rights abuses in Tibet. That"s clear-cut; we need to be upfront and absolutely straight about what"s going on," Rudd had said.
On his remarks Chinese ambassador to Australia, Zhang Junsai, conveyed his country"s displeasure, a reaction to a Foreign Affairs official in Canberra, Chinese authorities expressed similar views to the Australian ambassador in
Beijing.
Aussie premier Rudd who left Britain for Beijing on Tuesday had said at the London School of Economics that China, like everybody else, was operating in a free market.
“The market, while driving up the price of ore and coal, had given China a bargain on Australian liquefied natural gas," Rudd said, adding it had been guaranteed a long-term supply at a third of the current market rate.
In 2002, China secured USD 25 billion contract for supply of LNG for 25-year which had no provision for renegotiation of price, which has since soared.
China did very well out of that deal," Rudd said adding ask a Chinese importer of iron ore on Wednesday how they are going and they will give you the reverse story.
Rudd in his speech at Beijing University, said "a strong relationship and a true friendship were built on the ability to engage in direct, frank and ongoing dialogue about our fundamental interests and future vision".
He held press conference at the Australian Embassy in Beijing, Mr Rudd said he expected a Chinese reaction to his comments but repeated his belief that ties between the two countries were strong enough to support differences and that he had long experience in China.
"The relationship with China is always going to be complex and challenging. I accept that," Mr Rudd said.
"I think this relationship is broad enough to tolerate disagreement, and on these questions I will be putting my views forthrightly."
Mr Rudd, a former diplomat in China, is spending four days in China on the last leg of his 17-day world tour. He has discussed the issue of Tibet with several world leaders, including President George W. Bush, who last month called on Chinese President Hu Jintao to open a dialogue with the Dalai Lama's representatives.
The White House yesterday refused to rule out Mr Bush missing the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in August, noting that it never said he would attend the event.
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda too joined the protests yesterday, saying that China bears responsibility over recent unrest in Tibet. Mr Fukada called on Beijing to resolve the problem peacefully. "I think China is the most responsible over the issue. I hope they will deal with it in a calm manner and resolve the issue through dialogue," he said.
Mr Rudd yesterday stood by the comments he made in Washington and London, in which he criticised China's human rights record in Tibet and also called on the Dalai Lama's representatives.
Despite the public dispute with the Chinese officials, Mr Rudd was uncompromising in his continued support for China's staging of the Olympics and his opposition to any boycotts.
"It will be a chance for China to engage directly with the world, both on the sports field and on the streets of Beijing," he said.
"Some have called for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics because of recent problems in Tibet. I do not agree.
"I believe the Olympics are important for China's continuing engagement with the world. Australia, like most other countries, recognises China's sovereignty over Tibet.
"But we also believe it is necessary to recognise there are significant human rights problems in Tibet. We recognise the need for all parties to avoid violence and find a solution through dialogue."
The Olympic torch relay has been engulfed in controversy. Despite the chaos on the torch's European legs, Mr Rudd said Australia
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