Peters tells China: ‘Halt actions’ that help Russia
Foreign Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand has urged China to “halt actions” which assist Russia with its war against Ukraine.
Peters made the remarks about Chinese assistance to the Russian war effort in a speech about the New Zealand-China relationship, delivered to the NZ-China Council in Auckland, as the foreign minister continues to stare down the threat of legal action by a former Australian politician.
“With great power comes great responsibility, so we think that China has a responsibility to play a constructive role to address international security challenges, encourage de-escalation, and ease tensions, such as in ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas,” Peters said in the speech.
“We have encouraged China to be clear, in line with its commitment to the UN Charter and its position as a P5 member, that it does not support Russia’s unlawful war in Ukraine, and we urge China to halt actions which help Russia to rebuild its war-fighting capability and prolong the conflict.”
China’s ongoing assistance for Russian industry, though not direct military assistance, has been raised with Beijing by countries including the United States.
Last month, the Associated Press reported that two US administration officials had briefed the outlet that 90% of microelectronics sourced by Russia, used for missiles, tanks and aircraft, had come from China.
“Now, we believe, is a time where China leadership and diplomacy would materially help to ease global tensions,” Peters said.
Peters also restated the Government’s serious concern about China seeking a role in the security of Pacific Island countries.
“China has a long-standing presence in the Pacific, but we are seriously concerned by increased engagement in Pacific security sectors.
‘‘We do not want to see developments that destabilise the institutions and arrangements that have long underpinned our region’s security.”
Much of the speech centred on the Government’s three-pronged strategy for managing a “mature” relationship with China: co-operating with China where national interests converge, such as trade and certain sciences; defending, promoting and preserving New Zealand’s interests; and aligning and working with “traditional and like-minded” partners to advocate for New Zealand’s interests and values.
“We strongly believe that in a mature relationship like ours, it is possible to discuss differences openly, respectfully and predictably. We will continue to share our concerns with China, where we have them,” Peters said.
The concerns detailed by Peters included human rights abuses in Xinjiang province, Hong Kong and Tibet, as well as a recently revealed Chinese cyber attack on Parliament, and “hardening rhetoric” across the Taiwan Strait.
“In recent days and months we have seen Chinese vessels use water cannons against Filipino vessels. A simple miscalculation or accident could lead to sudden and unpredictable escalation. This would have real implications for the stability and prosperity of the region,” he said.
“After all, one-third of all global shipping transits the South China Sea. We have made clear our expectation that all countries, including China, will comply with international law.”
Peters said New Zealand would align with partners “where this helps advance our common interests, all the while being steadfast in our independent assessment of our national interests”.
His speech included an oblique reference to criticism that his Government was eroding New Zealand’s “independent foreign policy”.
“Collaboration, however, does not imply uniformity of opinion. Like all sovereign nations, New Zealand will continue to make decisions based on our own assessment of our interests,” he said.
Briefings to Peters obtained by The Post under the Official Information Act show the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade advising of the three-pronged strategy to the China relationship, once Peters took the foreign minister job in November. Much of the briefings were redacted.
The speech on the China relationship was the second foreign policy speech Peters has delivered this week. The first, on Wednesday, centred on New Zealand’s interest in the contentious Aukus defence pact, and was used by Peters as an opportunity to lambast his critics.
Asked yesterday if the Chinese had raised concerns with him about his Aukus speech, Peters said: “We've had discussions on a whole range of things, but the first person to get up and shake my hand after the speech of the night was the Chinese ambassador.
“I kinda think he gets that we are a mature country with the right to have an independent foreign policy.”