(Clearwisdom.net)

September 3, 2002

(name and address omitted)

Thank for your letter of 31 July regarding the arrest and trial of New Zealander and Falun Gong practitioner Jenny Lee in Hong Kong.

Along with other members of the international community, the government has been following the trial closely and staff from the New Zealand Consulate General in Hong Kong have been in contact with Jenny Lee to ensure she has appropriate legal representation and that due process is being followed.

As the case is currently under appeal, it would not be appropriate for the New Zealand Government to offer public comment. We have, however, conveyed to the Hong Kong authorities our close and continuing interest in the case, and the importance we attach to upholding the right of free expression for Hong Kong's reputation and perception as an open society, and as a manifestation of the implementation of "one country, two systems".

Yours sincerely

Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade