China blamed for New Zealand snub of high-profile Hong Kong duo critical of Beijing
Former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang and Democratic Party founding leader Martin Lee Chu-ming had a meeting with the country’s Deputy Prime Minister Bill English cancelled
China has been accused of pressuring leading politicians in New Zealand and Australia to cancel meetings with two high-profile Hong Kong critics of Beijing who claim its growing interference places the city’s future under the “one country, two systems” policy in jeopardy.
Chan, convenor of the Hong Kong 2020 think tank, said yesterday that the meeting – set for 8am on Tuesday in Wellington – was cancelled by email from English’s office at 9.40pm the night before.
During the first part of their overseas trip in Australia, political figures told her they too were contacted by Chinese officials over the planned meetings with Lee and herself, she added.
Also yesterday, New Zealand foreign affairs shadow spokesman David Shearer, who was due to meet the pair during their visit – told newspaper The New Zealand Herald that he was contacted by a “political adviser” from the Chinese embassy who “voiced concerns” about his planned meeting with Chan and Lee.
