New Zealand and China’s relationship was described by Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta as important and complex, requiring continual management to ensure both countries’ perspectives are taken into account. Mahuta’s recent visit to China paved the way for a possible visit by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins later this year. While New Zealand must balance its relationship with China, its largest trading partner, with its traditional security and defence partners, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, both countries expressed a desire to increase trade and economic cooperation.
According to Mahuta, discussions between her and China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang covered a range of issues, including areas of opportunity and issues they don’t agree on. Despite disagreements about human rights in Xinjiang, developments in the South China Sea, Hong Kong, and increasing tensions in the Taiwan Strait, both countries emphasized the importance of mutual respect, equal treatment, win-win cooperation, and seeking common ground while shelving differences. Mahuta also reiterated New Zealand’s condemnation of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, and both sides exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis.
China expressed appreciation for New Zealand’s objective and friendly view of its development, and Mahuta and Qin Gang discussed the possibility of resuming in-person high-level discussions and officials’ dialogues on foreign affairs, climate change, human rights, the Pacific, and trade. Despite the ongoing balancing act, both countries are striving for greater development of the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.
