Cooperation still important: Ardern on China
WELLINGTON: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said yesterday that even ‘‘as China becomes more assertive in the pursuit of its interests’’, there are still shared interests the two countries can and should cooperate on.
New Zealand has toughened its tone recently on both security and Beijing’s growing presence in the South Pacific, in part due to the signing of a security pact between China and Solomon Islands.
But at the same time it remains dependent on trade with China.
Ms Ardern said in a speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland that while there were areas that mattered deeply to New Zealand and where the country’s view differed from that of China, New Zealand was willing to engage.
‘‘We will also advocate for approaches and outcomes that reflect New Zealand’s interests and values, and speak out on issues that do not,’’ she said.
‘‘Our differences need not define us. But we cannot ignore them.’’
New Zealand has consistently expressed concern about economic coercion, human rights infringement and most recently the potential militarisation of the Pacific.
Speaking later at the summit,
Chinese ambassador to New Zealand Dr Wang Xiaolong said there was no room for complacency in the countries’ relationship.
It had been a longterm strategic decision to develop a relationship with New Zealand 50 years ago.
‘‘What we have achieved has not taken place as a matter of course but rather as the result of painstaking efforts from both sides.
‘‘By the same token, nothing in the future of the relationship can be taken for granted. It will depend on our joint efforts to make it happen,’’ he said.
Both countries had a major stake in preserving peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region, ‘‘as our common home’’, Dr Wang said.
‘‘Tension, let alone conflicts or wars are the last thing China wants to see in this region.’’
He also said China opposed ‘‘unilateralism, hegemony, Cold War mentality, military alliances, the division of the world along ideological lines, or otherwise into exclusive or even opposing blocs or spheres of influence, and coercion of countries to take sides’’.
It respected New Zealand’s traditional ties and influence.
The top United States military chief for the Pacific region visited New Zealand at the weekend.
Admiral John Aquilino arrived in Wellington on Saturday after visiting Australia with a much larger contingent, including top general Mark Milley, who there warned China was ‘‘noticeably and statistically more aggressive’’.
Adm Aquilino used similar language in addressing the ShangriLa Dialogue security conference in Singapore in June, saying it was ‘‘potentially the most dangerous period’’ in the Pacific since World War 2, pointing to Beijing’s ‘‘destabilising’’ and ‘‘coercive’’ actions.
In Wellington yesterday, he was much softer in his rhetoric, stressing the need to ‘‘work peacefully together’’, perhaps acknowledging heightened political sensitivities here, particularly around trade. — Reuters/The