Information
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi commenced a diplomatic journey through New Zealand and Australia, commencing with strategic discussions in Wellington. In New Zealand, Wang engaged with counterparts Winston Peters and Todd McClay, extending invitations for reciprocal visits to China. The talks delved into New Zealand’s potential involvement in the AUKUS alliance, with Wang expressing reservations about the country’s prospective accession and New Zealand affirming its staunch adherence to its anti-nuclear policy. Discussions also encompassed trade, business, security in the Pacific, and shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region while touching upon human rights issues, including concerns over Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Tibet.
Despite New Zealand’s participation in the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing alliance, it faces reproach for its perceived conciliatory approach toward China, prioritising economic ties over security alignment with Western allies. China, while lauding New Zealand’s pragmatic stance, voiced apprehensions regarding its security collaboration with Western partners. Wang underscored China’s eagerness to bolster bilateral cooperation, proposing an upgraded version of the two nations’ free trade agreement and emphasising the significance of their relationship among China’s ties with other developed nations.
Source: AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters
Assessment
This is a very timely visit from China, with NZ’s new government taking a more hard-line approach towards China and looking more and more likely that they will sign up for the next stage of AUKUS. While China’s visit is unlikely to affect the current government’s decision, it will provide ammunition for Chinese sympathisers to criticise the government and call for a lowering of the country’s security posture. This is likely a planned flow-on effect of the Chinese delegation visit, attempting to rally the anti-military groups within NZ to disrupt security in the Pacific.