Chinese boss says ‘mongrel’ outburst won’t hurt ties

CITIC Pacific’s Chang Zhenming has criticised Clive Palmer’s recent racist outburst as a sign of his “anti-Chinese sentiment”.

THE chairman of Clive Palmer’s business partner and one of China’s most senior corporate leaders, Citic Pacific’s Chang Zhenming, has criticised the Australian politician’s recent racist outburst as unnecessary and a sign of his “anti-Chinese sentiment”.

Mr Chang yesterday said Mr Palmer was wrong to call Chinese people “mongrels” and “bastards” who “shot their own people” but hopefully would not damage the strong business, trade and diplomatic ties between Australia and China.

“The comments and sentiments expressed by Clive Palmer and his political colleagues in Australia were uncalled for, although we noticed that he has apologised for them,” Mr Chang said in Hong Kong after presenting the company’s half-year results.

“We know that the views expressed by Mr Palmer do not represent the views of most people in Australia where we have many loyal employees, friends and partners.”