New Zealand: New Zealand Herald Publishes Letters Condemning the CCP's Interference with Divine Performing Arts

The Divine Performing Arts concluded two performances successfully in Auckland on April 5th, 2007. Before the performances, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand exerted pressure on seven city mayors in the greater Auckland region via telephone and suggested that they not watch the show. This incident caught the attention of many local media. The New Zealand Herald carried two letters from readers on April 7th condemning the CCP's interference with residents in a democratic country's attendance at a cultural performance.

One reader stated, "Since when does the Chinese Consulate have the right to phone some of our mayors and suggest they do not attend a Chinese cultural show at our Civic Centre?

I am ashamed that some mayors will not be attending the show. I thought they would go if only to show that in this democracy, they defend the right of people in this country to see, read and visit anything they please. It is time for the Government to let the Chinese Consulate know we will not tolerate this sort of interference and coercion."

Another reader stated, "Once again the Chinese Government is interfering in the decisions of New Zealanders to attend events. First, it was Tibetan meetings, and now it is the Divine Performing Arts show.

Often, when excessive force is brought to bear, the result is the opposite to the intention--the French increased the size and resources of Greenpeace immensely by giving it free publicity. The Chinese have just given the Divine Performing Arts show the best exposure it could get. Roll up."

New Zealand's mainstream media exposed the CCP's interference with the performance of The Divine Performing Arts before the shows. Reading the reports, many New Zealand citizens came to watch the show. Staff at the performance indicated that the CCP's interference played the role of advertising for the troupe.