China in Pacific

4) contains the statement ‘‘people have wiped out 60 per cent of wild animal populations since 1970’’. What the World Wildlife Fund report actually says is: ‘‘The global populations of mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians have fallen 60 per cent between 1970 and 2014’’.

The report is based on studies of 16,700 populations belonging to 4000 species around the world – only a fraction of just the animal species alone in the ecosystems. The causes of the decline are listed as increasing human consumption, climate change, pollution, farming and deforestation. It may be worth noting that the report has been criticised as skewed towards Western Europe (where data is more readily available) whereas the greatest impacts have been in Central and South America and Southeast Asia and Indonesia.

The Sunday Star-Times article is bad news; the reality is even worse. New Zealanders need to be much more aware and proactive.

A. Williams, Napier The Chinese Embassy is surprised by the article headlined ‘‘Government blindsided as Niue signs up to Chinese blandishments’’ (News, November 4).

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China has been developing bilateral relations with the Cook Islands and Niue in line with the basic norms of international relations, with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter as the core. Over the years, China has promoted economic and social development in the Cook Islands and Niue by providing assistance within its own capacity based on mutual respect and common development.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aims to offer a China solution to global and regional economic issues. It includes more than 130 countries, including New Zealand, which signed a memorandum of understanding with China.

China and New Zealand have been maintaining regular contact on issues relating to Pacific island countries. China respects the important role New Zealand plays in the Pacific. China remains committed to working with New Zealand for the peace, stability and prosperity in the region. Zhenyu Wang, Chinese Embassy