Hong Kong became the gateway between China and New Zealand

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced that it has Hong Kong ‘Singularity’ It stems from the principle of “one country, two systems” that allows it to do so “An ideal gateway for business and investment between mainland China and New Zealand.”

Carrie Lam made the statement during a webinar hosted by the Hong Kong Office of Economics and Trade in Sydney, which gathered more than 200 participants from the New Zealand business community.

«Hong Kong has enjoyed close relations with New Zealand for many years, “ Which in 2010 became the first foreign economy to adopt a free trade agreement with Hong Kong, said Hong Kong’s chief executive.

The latter said that thanks to the strong recovery in trade and investment of the Hong Kong government, Hong Kong’s economy in the first quarter of 2021 recorded a strong recovery, with real growth of 7.8% year-on-year and 5.3% more. Previous quarter.

As the epidemic situation improves in Hong Kong, Carrie Lam confirmed this “Now is the time for New Zealand companies to establish a presence or expand their business in Hong Kong.”

The latter said that with the relatively stable epidemiological situation in New Zealand, the mandatory quarantine period for people arriving in Hong Kong from New Zealand has been reduced from 21 days to 14 days since last month.

As efforts continue on both sides, Carrie Lam hopes that cross-border travel facilitation between the two sides will continue to be explored, such as “The travel bubble.”

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However, in July 2020, New Zealand suspended the extradition treaty with Hong Kong due to its conclusion ‘Deep concern’ Regarding the security law imposed by China on the territory, it goes in the same direction as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.

“China’s adoption of the new national security law undermines the principles of the rule of law.”Then New Zealand’s foreign minister, Winston Peters, announced.

His critics view the security law as an erosion of civil liberties and human rights in this semi-autonomous financial center.

For the New Zealand minister, this law “violated China’s obligations towards the international community.”

This comment is justified by the fact that New Zealand can no longer trust the independence of the judicial system in Hong Kong from China., he added.

The latter added that New Zealand would tighten restrictions on exports of military equipment to Hong Kong and warned its citizens against traveling to the former British colony.

New Zealand’s three partners in the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance (Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia) have suspended their extradition treaty with Hong Kong.

There was no immediate response from China, but the Foreign Ministry repeatedly warned that pressure on China over this national security law would amount to “massive interference in internal affairs”.