In the 1980s, on behalf of Alcoa and the Victorian government in Australia, I negotiated with CITIC to take a 10 percent interest in the Portland Smelter joint venture. Over a period of 18 months, we built a relationship and finalized the various agreements culminating in CITIC's successful participation in May 1986.

Almost 30 years later, it remains a participant, having increased its share to 22.5 percent. During the negotiations, my team met with many of CITIC's senior management officials. Without exception they were professional, economics-savvy and fully understood normal business and legal practices. Many held post-graduate degrees from leading universities from around the world, and they behaved like any large corporation executives in the Western world. It was indeed a pleasure to deal with them.

This is in stark contrast to the views of Australian businessman and Mineralogy owner Clive Palmer and his ignorant and offensive comments about the company and the Chinese people in general. Palmer exemplifies the rich bully who cannot get his way. It shows that wealth doesn't buy you decency, respect and integrity.

I join with others in apologizing for his appalling behavior and assuring the Chinese people that Palmer does not represent the views of the great majority of Australians.

ALLAN TAPLEY, via e-mail

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(China Daily 08/29/2014 page9)