National Post/Canadian Press: Chinese minister scolds journalist for raising China’s human rights record: ‘This is totally unacceptable’
OTTAWA — China’s visiting foreign minister publicly berated a Canadian journalist on Wednesday for asking a question about his country’s human rights record.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said it was “irresponsible” of a journalist from the web outlet IPolitics to ask about human rights and the jailing of a Canadian, Kevin Garratt, who is charged with espionage.
Wang appeared visibly angry as he delivered the scolding in the lobby of Global Affairs headquarters at a joint news conference with Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion.
“Your question is full of prejudice and against China and arrogance … I don’t know where that comes from. This is totally unacceptable,” Wang said through a translator.
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WNU Editor: I was surprised by this outburst. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi knows how Western reporters behave .... so permitting one reporter to ask a question and a follow-up .... which is very rare for this foreign minister .... opened the door for the reporter to ask what is in hindsight an obvious question. My guess was that he was told and/or he had expected a different question (i.e. the state of China - Canada relations for example) .... but he did not get it .... hence the outburst.
For those who want to know what was my experience when I was stationed in China .... I can say very bluntly that behind closed doors Chinese foreign ministry officials never behaved like this .... but now .... my opposite numbers who use to work for the Chinese foreign ministry tell me that for the younger generation .... and Wang Yi is one of them .... this type of behaviour is now regarded as normal. This is not a smart approach for China. If China thinks they are going to win friends like this .... I can assure you they will not.
As to Canada's reaction to this outburst .... I know that the Prime Minister and many of his aides have put it as a priority to have better relations with China .... human rights be damned. This should not surprise anyone .... in a certain way PM Justin Trudeau is continuing his father's policy towards China .... ignore the human rights issue. On a personal note ... in April 1989 I was at a dinner with Chinese foreign affairs officials, the premier of Fujian province, and a few Canadian officials .... retired Pierre Trudeau being one of them. This banquet was 6 weeks before the Tienanmen massacre, and the growing protests among many young Chinese students was the main topic at the dinner. But what I specifically remembered from it was Pierre Trudeau not objecting to the Chinese provincial premier's remarks that force may have to be used to crush the protesters ... his silence was deafening. In case anyone wants to know .... I did object .... and it is a position that I am still very proud of today.
More News On Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Berating A Canadian Journalist For Asking A Question On Human Rights
China's Foreign Minister berates Canadian reporter over human rights -- CNN
China FM berates Canadian journalist over human rights -- AFP
China FM Scolds Journalist for Asking Human Rights Question -- VOA
Chinese foreign minister's 'tantrum' sign of troubled relations, ex-ambassador says -- CBC
How to rattle China’s foreign minister -- Washington Post
Dion’s silence was embarrassing as China’s foreign affairs minister berated a Canadian reporter -- National Post
No More Questions on Human Rights in China -- The Atlantic
Canada better decide what side of right and wrong they are on. It seems an easy decision. Also, diplomatic niceties are to be expected of both sides. China plays by no rules but their own. I am embarrassed to be a Canadian, when Canadian leaders suck up to these thugs. Is this what you want for the next century?
ReplyDeleteThey decided what side of "right and wrong" they are on when they backed the Banderites in the Ukraine and invited their openly Nazi leaders to Canada.
ReplyDeleteIt took guts to take the stand you did Editor.
Of course, I felt the opposite about that particular event.
WNU,
ReplyDeleteAfter your jeremiad at the dinner, did you get a special "fortune cookie" from Moscow?
I voiced my comments as a private citizen, but word never got back to Moscow. But revolution was up in the air in eastern Europe .... the FO had bigger fish to fry.
ReplyDeleteEditor, you sound like you have had some very interesting experiences in life, have you considered writing a bio
ReplyDeleteAnon. The person who should have written a bio was my father. Survived the Ukraine famine. 4 years on the Russian front commanding an artillery unit and being a political officer. And then being a diplomat/etc. for decades after that while getting to know everyone that you needed to know in Moscow during that time. Yup .... my father had the more interesting experiences that should have been put in print.
ReplyDeleteIn my case .... I have been very lucky in my life .... but there have been some very hard times. And when I reflect on everything .... sighhh .... I have been disappointed in a lot of people .... and the innocence that carried me and protected me in the many situations that I found myself in the past is no longer there. I am not ready for a book yet .... and like my father .... I probably will never get there.