NZ fails to condemn new Hong Kong law

AUCKLAND: New Zealand did not join Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia in a joint declaration condemning China’s national security legislation on Hong Kong, although Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has reiterated the Government’s ‘‘deep concern’’ about the situation.

New Zealand is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance with those four countries.

‘‘On important issues like this, New Zealand will sometimes decide to join other likeminded countries and sometimes to make a statement alone,’’ a spokesman for the Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

‘‘What is important is that we share the deep concerns expressed by other democratic countries in their statements overnight about the introduction of this legislation. This is clear from Minister Peters’ statement.’’

Tensions between China and the US, China and Australia and, to an extent, New Zealand have become fraught after the US pinned the blame for Covid19 on China and Australia backed an inquiry into its role in spreading Covid19.

Taiwan’s bid for inclusion in the World Health Organisation only added to the tensions, in particular after provocative comments by Peters, relating to Taiwan’s desire to revive its WHO observer status.

China’s ambassador to New Zealand Wu Xi said last week the bilateral relationship was at ‘‘a crossroads’’ and principles like the oneChina policy should be ‘‘firmly abided by’’.

Meanwhile Hong Kong has told the United States to keep out of the debate over the national security legislation.

‘‘Any sanctions are a doubleedged sword,’’ Hong Kong’s Government said yesterday.

‘‘[Sanctions] will not only harm the interests of Hong Kong but also significantly those of the United States.’’

There are 1300 United States firms based in the city. — BusinessDesk/Reuters