72. China's ambassador sticks to the menu his country's economy

The Gazette - 4 February 2006

Dismissing or dancing around questions about human-rights abuses in Tibet, the absence of free labour unions and Internet censorship, China's ambassador to Canada yesterday focused instead on his country's fast-growing economy to a sold-out Montreal business audience. Lu Shumin's speech was as warmed over as the salmon entree that preceded it. The only spice came when a solitary student seated in the far corner of the Hyatt ballroom rose, unfurled a Tibetan flag and denounced both the Chinese government and Bombardier Inc. Bombardier has been a frequent protest target for its involvement in a rail project in Tibet. Human-rights groups say the rail line is part of China's "on going colonization of Tibet." "Shame on China and shame on Bombardier," said Jessica Spanton of Students for a Free Tibet, before being hustled from the room to the stunned silence of the 400-strong crowd. Most of those in attendance were looking for tips on how to gain a foothold in the world's sixth-largest economy, now Canada's second-largest trading partner. They seemed embarrassed by her outburst. Lu, seated at the head table, and with his back to Spanton, said later he did not "even know that person was protesting (about) Tibet." Speaking to reporters after the luncheon, the ambassador dismissed the suggestion that China is an occupying force in Tibet. "Tibet has always been a part of China. No nation recognizes it as an independent nation or state," Lu said smoothly. China has brought progress to the region and lifted the standard of living for Tibetans, as it has for all Chinese, he added. "I do not believe Tibetan culture is dying. It has its unique language, literature and way of life. Development is not genocide," Shumin said. He characterized the Free Tibet movement as a separatist movement that will encounter determined opposition. It was one of the few times the ambassador addressed a sticky question head on. Earlier, during a question-and-answer session with the audience, a speaker who identified himself as affiliated with the Confederation des Syndicats Nationaux, remarked that while China's economy has grown by leaps and bounds in the last 25 years, the wealth is not being shared equally. He followed up by asking whether free trade unions might be allowed one day. Lu ignored the second half of the question, instead agreeing that Beijing is mindful that "everyone wants a good life and equal gain." He made no bones about Beijing's demand, quickly acceded t o by Google, that the world's largest Internet search engine censor itself before gaining access to the world's most populous country. The Chinese version of the site blocks requests for information on Tiananmen Square, Falun Gong and Tibet, among other topics. "In any country, you have to abide by the laws. If the law says you cannot do certain things, you have to abide by the law," Lu said. "China's development can't be achieved without the world and the world's development can't be achieved without China," the ambassador said before hurrying off to another business function. "China will develop according to its own national conditions. It wants to be democratic and powerful. That has been the goal ever since the People's Republic was created."