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A virtual meeting between the foreign ministers of China and New Zealand was held on Monday, where they reaffirmed their relationship and discussed Beijing’s growing involvement in the Pacific Ocean.
It was after China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi finished his diplomatic tour of the Pacific Ocean and mobilized 10 countries to approve the controversial economic and security agreement.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta expressed concern about China’s growing influence in the region, but could not express criticism.
“Although China acknowledged that China has existed in the Pacific for a long time, Minister Mafta emphasized the importance of involvement in ways to advance Pacific priorities,” he said. statement According to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
According to China’s state media Xinhua, Mr. Wang said China is ready to “cooperate with New Zealand” and attaches great importance to diplomatic negotiations on climate change.
Mr Wang also said China is ready to work with New Zealand to participate in more party cooperation for the “open” and “inclusive” South Pacific region.
The MFAT read reveals that Muffta raised New Zealand’s views on China’s human rights issues in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the erosion of liberty in Hong Kong, and the importance of peace throughout the Taiwan Strait that was not included in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. did.
Concerns were previously raised in a joint US-New Zealand statement after New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited the White House.
Beijing blamed the joint statement and accused New Zealand of lacking an independent foreign policy.
China’s state-owned mouthpiece, Global Times, suggested that small countries could not “endure” pressure from the United States, simply confusing America’s “anti-Chinese rhetoric.”
Xinhua also reported that Muffta said New Zealand was “ready” to work with Beijing on global development and security.
Ardern recently supported the government’s relationship with Beijing and said it needed to “cooperate” in areas of mutual interest, despite growing aggressiveness in the region.
“China is a very important trading partner for us, but it’s a mature relationship for us,” Ardern told the BBC in April.
The two foreign ministers acknowledged the importance of 2022, which marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
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Rebecca Zhu is based in Sydney. She focuses on Australian and New Zealand national affairs. Do you have a hint? Contact her at [email protected].
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