Tibet Problems Should Not Affect FTA Signing

Rather than use the Tibet problems as an excuse to embarrass the Government over the forthcoming FTA signing in Beijing, critics should be seeing the FTA as an opportunity for the New Zealand leaders to signal direct to China's leadership our concern at what is going on in Tibet. Helen Clark will be meeting with a number of European leaders immediately prior to arriving in China. She would therefore be well placed to convey a message on behalf of the wider 'western community' direct to China's leadership - should the FTA signing go ahead.