KEY POINTS:
Auckland's mainland Chinese community has planned a pro-Olympic demonstration this Sunday against the anti-China protests which are following the Olympic torch.
"It will be a gathering of people who are proud of our country, and of it being the first time that China will be taking centre stage
as Olympic hosts," said organiser Johnson Yuan, 22.
At least 400 people have registered to take part in this weekend's demonstration at Aotea Square, which Mr Yuan, an Auckland University research assistant, said is aimed at promoting China and the Olympics "in a positive light".
Last month, Mr Yuan organised a protest against New Zealand and Western media organisations, alleging they "distorted" coverage of the unrest in Tibet and for "painting China black".
Chinese international student Reggie Ji, 21, said nationalistic feelings were running high among the Chinese because of the Olympics, and it was his "pride of China" that had made him register to take part.
"We are sick of the lies, and for being put down by Western countries," he said.
"This time, we Chinese can stand together as one to show that we are proud of our country, and that we are a united people who are proud of the Olympics."
The Auckland protest follows a series of anti-Western demonstrations by Chinese nationals around the world as nationalistic feelings come to the fore.
In Paris, 4000 Chinese gathered at the Place de la Republique wearing T-shirts with slogans like "One China, One family" and "Olympic Games is a bridge, not a wall".
They sang patriotic songs and waved both Chinese and French national flags.
Similar protests also took place in Vienna and Berlin.
In London, a group of 300 Chinese rallied at the Houses of Parliament and more than 1000 demonstrated on Saturday outside the BBC in Manchester.
In the United States, CNN's Los Angeles office was targeted.
About 5000 people marched to demand the sacking of commentator Jack Cafferty for his recent comments comparing China's leaders to a "bunch of goons and thugs".
China's state newsagency, Xinhua, reported that protests in China are targeted at French supermarket Carrefour which has been accused of supporting the Dalai Lama, a claim which its chief executive Jose Luis Duran denies.
In a front-page editorial on Sunday, the People's Daily newspaper called on Chinese people to express their patriotism - but in a rational way.
Meanwhile, a pro-Tibet group's plans to disrupt a Chinese association's function to celebrate the opening ceremony of the Olympics on August 8 in Ellerslie has been foiled after the United Chinese Association of New Zealand cancelled the event.
