Follow the what?

One-half of the float's estimated $400,000 cost was paid by 10 members of the Roundtable of Southern California Chinese-American Organizations - each contributing $20,000 each, according to Chairwoman Sue Zhang.

"Most Chinese Americans in Los Angeles are very happy with China," Zhang said. "The human rights in China is getting improved a lot."

One Roundtable member, the Chinese Electronic Commerce Association (CECA), was created in 2000 by the communist government's Ministry of Information Industry to promote Internet economic interests, according to state-run media in China.

The ministry is the chief state apparatus for Internet censorship in China, as directed by the State Council Information Office and the Chinese Party's Propaganda Department, according to an August 2006 report from Human Rights Watch.

John Li, a member of Falun Gong and a lead organizer of opposition to the float, has been among those criticizing the Chinese government for the influence it exerts overseas. On Thursday, Li was among about 30 protesters who gathered outside the Tournament House as Rose Queen Dusty Gibbs was crowned.

"The Chinese Communist Party is always trying to control Chinese overseas, and they try to select local Chinese leaders to control the other groups," he said.

Alluding to activities by former San Marino resident Katrina Leung, a Republican political activist implicated in espionage for China in 2003, Li said China continues to use front groups in Southern California.

May Hsu is president of CECA's North American entity, which was incorporated in California in 2002 and is described as CECA's main branch operating outside of China.

Last month, Hsu was in Pasadena to address the Human Relations Commission in support of the float.

She directed harsh criticism at Li and Falun Gong, telling him "it must be that you people are doing something wrong," the Pasadena Weekly reported.

Hsu was unavailable for comment Thursday and did not return a call and e-mail message.

Zhang said she believed Hsu's $20,000 contribution for the float likely came from her own pocket and not from the organization.

Zhang is president of the Tsinghua Education Foundation North America, which is affiliated with the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Whether perceived as cultural celebration or deceitful propaganda, the Beijing Olympic float is one parade entry few want to take credit for.

Mayor Bill Bogaard and some on the City Council - who will discuss the controversial Beijing Olympic float Monday - said it's the Tournament of Roses' business.

Tournament officials have said the city urged the float's inclusion. Lawrence Dwyer, a spokesman for Pasadena-based Avery Dennison, said Thursday it was the city and the Tournament's idea.

He declined to identify who contacted Avery Dennison on behalf of the city.

todd.ruiz@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4444
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