One man with a flag forced the second most powerful politician in China to sneak into Parliament by the back door. It's a sign of immense intellectual insecurity; is he afraid that even seeing it will poison his mind with toxic "Free Tibet" memes? Or is he simply arrogant enough to think that his beliefs should not be challenged, and that anyone who dares to should be shot in the back of the head before having their organs sold to the rich? (the latter was certainly the opinion of his security detail, who didn't seem to understand that we have free speech in this country...)
Full marks to Rod Donald for voicing our disapproval of the Chinese regime - and to the NZ Police, for standing up for the right to protest for a change.
It is amazing to see.
ReplyDeleteI recall a quote of PJ O'Rourke where he said he wasn't so sure about the ideological security of the Chinese government either, saying that "they can't be much of a superpower if the Chinese government quakes when 200 Falun Gong practioners do their tai chi for Jesus"
I will tell you what Chinese students can be like: A few weeks back (at the height of the anti-Japanese demonstrations in China) a friend of mine was having his usual evening perambulation down Balmoral road when a taxi pulled up, three Chinese guys jumped out and ran up to an Asian women some 20 odd metres in front of him. They loudly demanded to know if she was Japanese and when she said yes, they knocked her to the ground and began assaulting her. My stunned friend immediately challenged them, then girl got to her feet and fled with a grazed face and bleeding nose, and the three Chinese "gentlemen" aggressively looked at him before jumping back in the taxi and driving off... I believe my colleagues story, I've known hom for years.
ReplyDeleteReally, some Chinese should remember where they are and leave their virulent nationalism at the border.
And to think that is where our semi despotic world government is going to be in a few more decades.
ReplyDeletePolitically I have very little in common with Rod Donald, but I applaud this particular move of his.
ReplyDeleteI make a point of waving cheerfully to the Falun Gong folks whenever I walk past the Chinese High Commission on Great South Road.