New Zealand: Jacinda Ardern admits there are differences with China

In a speech in Auckland at an economic summit with China, Ms Ardern said her country had already engaged Beijing in “deep fearsOn the erosion of democratic freedoms in Hong Kong and the treatment of the Uyghur minority in Xinjian.

However, the center-left leader noted that New Zealand is independent on matters of foreign policy and is therefore free to choose whether these issues should be addressed publicly or in private conversations with Chinese leaders.

It also acknowledged that China and New Zealand will never agree on some issues.

“No one will miss here that as China’s role in the world grows and develops, reconciling the differences between our systems (…) becomes more and more difficult.She said.

“This is the challenge that we and many other countries in the Indo-Pacific, but also in Europe and other regions, face.“.

“We need to acknowledge that there are some things that China and New Zealand do not agree to, cannot and will not agree toShe said “.It shouldn’t change our relationships, it’s just a fact“.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaya Mahuta said recently that Wellington will not leave the intelligence alliance.five eyes(Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, the United States and Canada), dictates its policy with its main trading partner.

A few months ago, Trade Minister Damian O’Connor urged Australia to do more.”respectTowards Beijing, after the archipelago signed an enhanced free trade agreement with China.

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Tensions between Canberra and Beijing have risen steadily since 2018 over disagreements over a growing number of topics, from 5G technology to accusations of espionage, over Hong Kong or the origin of the coronavirus.

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