Fran O'Sullivan looks at the complications that current problems in Tibet have caused the New Zealand Government.
Helen Clark has a huge diplomatic opportunity ahead of her.
She will arrive in Beijing fresh from a meeting with political leaders of other social democratic governments in London. This places her as a message bearer on behalf of the Western world should she choose to do so.
Right through the long free trade negotiations, Clark's senior ministers have been careful not to provoke hostility from Labour backbenchers, trade unions and other political parties that are concerned at China's human rights record.
The free trade deal will be accompanied by statements on environment and human rights ideals. But they are merely statements, not part of the formal agreement.
The Tibetan crisis has inevitably awakened strong feelings among New Zealanders who hold the expression of human freedoms dearly.
Helen Clark needs to deal with the issue quickly if the upcoming FTA signing is to be seen as a political plus.
