Chinese Foreign Minister Berates Canadian Journalist For Asking A Single Question On Human Rights

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 appriach 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

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