AUSTRALIA TIBET COUNCIL
For immediate release: 16 May, 1997
ZHU RONGJI'S VISIT TO AUSTRALIA
WHY THE SECRECY?
In an apparent attempt to prevent demonstrations against him, the
Australian Government has decided not to release to the media any advance
details of the itinerary of China's most powerful economic minister and Vice-Premier, Mr Zhu Rongji, who arrives in Australia next Friday, May 23.
Mr Zhu agreed to make the visit in return for Australia's decision
not to co-sponsor a resolution on human rights abuses in China and Tibet at this
year's session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission. Australia had co-sponsored similar resolutions every year for the past six years.
Mr Zhu is reported to have cancelled visits to at least two European
countries that sponsored the resolution ("Australian Financial Review", May 5).
He is the most senior Chinese leader to visit Australia since former
security chief Qiao Shi, whose 1994 visit was marred by noisy but peaceful
protests in several cities.
The Australia Tibet Council said today that the Howard Government had
paid too high a moral price for Zhu Rongji's visit.
"We have not objected to Zhu Rongji's visits to Australia in the
past, but the circumstances surrounding this particular visit can only be
described as shameful", said ATC National President Ms Alex Butler.
"Australia has not only abandoned one of its most long-standing human
rights commitments but it has also allowed itself to be played off against other
democratic countries in the hope of gaining a temporary trade advantage."
A recent poll carried out by the "Far Eastern Economic Review" (May
8) showed that 77.8% of senior Australian executives surveyed believed that the
United Nations resolution, which was sponsored by Denmark, was justified.
Mr Zhu will be accompanied by more than 70 top Chinese business
leaders and government officials. He will be visiting Canberra, Western
Australia, South Australia, News South Wales and Queensland.
He is expected to meet with the Prime Minister and several other
senior Ministers, as well as State Premiers and business leaders.
Further information: Alex Butler 03 9499 1841
Paul Bourke 0419 420 526
