The report “Beijing sponsors festivities in NZ” carried by the New Zealand Herald (English) on September 21, 2009 is totally groundless. The Chinese Consulate General in Auckland wish to make the following statement:

The activities to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China are organized by the local Chinese associations of their own accord. The local Chinese associations have borne all the expenses of the activities with which, the Chinese government has nothing to do financially.