New Zealand Foreign Minister Expresses Concern at Beijing’s Pacific Engagement

Chinese and New Zealand foreign ministers spoke on June 13 to discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on Beijing’s growing involvement in the Pacific region.

The virtual meeting occurred after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi finished a diplomatic tour around the Pacific, during which he attempted to mobilize 10 Pacific nations to sign off on an economic and security pact.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta expressed concern about the Chinese regime’s expanding influence in the region but stopped short of voicing criticism.

“Minister Mahuta acknowledged that China has been present in the Pacific for a long time, but underlined the importance of engagement taking place in a manner that advances Pacific priorities,” a statement by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said.

According to Chinese state-run media Xinhua, Wang said China is ready to “work with New Zealand” and place importance on diplomatic talks on climate change. Wang also said China stands ready to work with New Zealand to partake in more multi-party cooperation for an “open” and “inclusive” South Pacific region.

The MFAT readout revealed that Mahuta raised New Zealand’s views on China’s human rights issues in Xinjiang, erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong, and the importance of peace across the Taiwan Strait, which wasn’t included in Xinhua’s reporting.

The concerns were previously stated in a U.S.–New Zealand joint statement following New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s visit to the White House.

Beijing denounced that joint statement and accused New Zealand of lacking independent foreign policy.

Chinese state-run mouthpiece Global Times suggested the small nation is unable to “withstand” pressure from the United States and was simply parroting America’s “anti-China rhetoric.”

Xinhua also reported that Mahuta said New Zealand is “ready” to work with Beijing on global development and security.

Ardern recently backed her government’s relationship with Beijing, saying there was still a need to “work together” in areas of mutual interest despite its growing assertiveness in the region.

“China is a very important trading partner for us, but it’s also a mature relationship for us,” Ardern told the BBC in April.

Both foreign ministers acknowledged the significance of 2022, which marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.