China’s new ambassador arrives
China’s new ambassador has touched down in New Zealand, as the two countries navigate an increasingly complex relationship.
Wang Xiaolong arrived in Wellington on Monday, replacing ambassador Wu Xi, who left late last year.
Wang is a high-ranking official, who has occupied senior positions in China’s foreign ministry and as a representative to the United Nations.
His appointment comes as New Zealand faces a number of Chinarelated foreign policy challenges, largely because of China’s increasingly bold moves in areas of economics and human rights. These include the Chinese Communist Party’s treatment of Uyghur in Xinjiang, its behaviour in the South China Sea and its crushing of Hong Kong’s democracy movement.
At times, New Zealand has stood with its Five Eyes partners to condemn China’s actions, and at other times it has been conspicuously absent from statements made by traditional allies.
As New Zealand and China prepare to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties, someone with Wang’s diplomatic credentials seems like an obvious pick to represent the Chinese Government in New Zealand. A doctor of economics, who also studied at the University of Kent, Wang has worked in the public service, with largely international-facing roles since the early 1990s.
Between 2011 and 2015, he served as China’s ambassador to Mongolia. More recently, Wang worked on vaccine diplomacy for the People’s Republic of China through the Covax scheme.
He previously worked in China’s public service, in the translation office of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, and served as a staff member and attaché of the international department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Wang was then transferred as attaché and third secretary of the permanent mission to the United Nations.
After returning to China, Wang served as the third secretary, deputy director, and director of the international department. In 2000, he served as the counsellor and deputy director of the international department.
In 2019, Wang attended an event to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the UN, saying China would continue to maintain the international system with the UN as the core, always be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of international order – something China has recently been accused of flouting in regard to the South China Sea, and in a number of human rights-related situations.
During his time as directorgeneral of the department of international economics at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, his focus was on the G20 and China’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China commentators say these credentials likely signal a desire from China to advance its BRI plans with New Zealand.
The country’s global economic expansion plan has been marred with controversy, particularly in the Pacific where China’s infrastructure loans have resulted in debt corruption, leaving island nations unable to service debt.
Under the last National government, New Zealand signed a BRI memorandum of understanding, but the Ardern-led Labour Government has been stalling on any further advancements. But near the end of last term – when New Zealand’s feet-dragging became a point of contention – the Government said it could see the advantages of working on ‘‘mutually beneficial’’ projects, with a green focus.
To date, New Zealand has successfully navigated a route where relations with China – particularly in terms of trade – are solid, while voicing some concerns.
Upon arriving in New Zealand this week, Wang said the New Zealand-China relationship was flourishing ‘‘like a silver fern’’.
China attached great importance to the development of relations between the two countries, he said in a statement.
Wang is the 14th ambassador of China to New Zealand.