New Zealand urged to seek justice in cases of attack on Chinese student and possible unfair treatment against Chinese tourists
Photo: Screenshot from Chinese Embassy in New Zealand
China attaches great importance to safeguarding the lives and property of Chinese citizens and their legitimate rights and interests, expressed serious concern about the recent cases of Chinese students being attacked in Auckland of New Zealand and Chinese tourists being subjected to possible unfair treatment by the police, according to Ye Su, minister-counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, on Tuesday during talks with New Zealand officials.
The remarks were made after a Chinese student was attacked on an Auckland bus by an unidentified person with a weapon on June 28, resulting in serious facial injuries, according to the Consulate-General in Auckland on Monday. The consulate then activated the consular protection emergency response mechanism, contacted the family of the injured international student and expressed serious concerns to the police in Auckland.
According to a post on a Chinese social media platform, a Chinese tourist in New Zealand was handcuffed and "rudely searched" by three New Zealand police officers who were apprehending a criminal suspect. The Chinese national in question hasn't received a definitive answer and apology for the incident from the Independent Police Conduct Authority of New Zealand.
China called for New Zealand to provide necessary medical treatment to the injured Chinese citizen and to make sure that all efforts are made to investigate the case and bring the culprits to justice as soon as possible, and to launch an investigation into the incident.
Ye added that the New Zealand side should also take all necessary measures to protect the personal safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in New Zealand, to create a safe, fair and non-discriminatory environment for them to live, study and work, and to work with the Chinese side to create favorable conditions for the movement of people between the two countries.
The victim, named Jason, was on an Auckland bus on his way to meet friends for a basketball game. During the journey, a woman carrying an iron bar approximately 12 millimeters thick and one meter long confronted the driver, claiming she did not have money to purchase a ticket, according to a report from the Red Star News.
Jason initially did not react as he was wearing headphones and listening to music, which prevented him from hearing the woman shouting. After removing his headphones, he politely inquired if she was addressing him. However, she began shouting discriminatory words against Chinese people at him.
The woman suddenly stood up and hit him with the iron bar across a row of seats. Jason attempted to evade the blows by standing up and moving away, but the woman continued to strike him and even stabbed him in the face, according to the report.
A 75-year-old man, Zhang Zhichang, intervened to stop her and wrestled with the abuser, and Jason snatched the iron bar out of the woman's hand. After the woman got off the bus, Jason contacted the police as his mouth and face were covered in blood and several of his teeth were missing.
According to media reports, the Auckland police stated that they are investigating the assault incident and seeking the public's assistance. An Auckland Transport spokesperson said the operator was aware of the incident and had provided video footage to the police.
The New Zealand side said it attaches great importance to this issue and has provided necessary assistance to the victim, according to the embassy. The police are actively investigating and will inform the Chinese embassy and consulate of the relevant progress in a timely manner.
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