Greenpeace target Canadian PM, again

Greenpeace protestors outside government offices in Hong Kong

By Kirsty Alfredson
CNN.com Correspondent

HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- Greenpeace protestors have tried to steal the spotlight for a second time during a trade mission by Canada's Prime Minister to China and Hong Kong.

The protesters were calling for an end to the destruction of Canada's rainforests.

Chretien, who is in Hong Kong for the last leg of his nine-day China tour today wrapped up the Team Canada 2001 trip by announcing $3.7 billion in new deals for Candian enterprises.

On Friday four tones of Canadian lumber was dumped outside the Chinese Central Government Offices protesting logging practices in British Columbia.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien says he's happy Greenpeace can protest

Saturday's interruption was less dramatic but more direct as two protestors with a banner jumped in front of television cameras covering the event.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien said it "wasn't a very big protest and I am happy they can protest".

"But apparently these people would not like us to cut any trees, but we will still cut trees, no doubt about it."

Human rights on agenda

Under pressure to address human rights, Chretien voiced Canada's concerns about Tibet and China's crackdown on the Falun Gong sect in a meeting with Chinese counterpart Zhu Rongji last week.

But it was business that dominated Chretien's Hong Kong agenda.

The prime minister was accompanied by most of Canada's provincial premiers, international trade minister and a 600-strong trade delegation.

Canada is Hong Kong's 11th largest export market and 20th largest import source. In 1999, Canadian exports to Hong Kong totalled $712 million ($C1.09 billion), while imports from Hong Kong stood at $850 million ($C1.3 billion).

Reuters contributed to this report.

Canadian PM begins Beijing talks
China, Canada talk rights, trade

See related sites about Asia

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.