Mahuta told the Guardian that New Zealand could find itself at the heart of a “storm” of anger from China, and exporters should diversify to ensure they could ride out a less-rosy relationship with Beijing. She pointed to the experience of neighbouring Australia, which is in a deepening trade war with China. “We cannot ignore, obviously, what’s happening in Australia with their relationship with China. And if they are close to an eye of the storm or in the eye of the storm, we’ve got to legitimately ask ourselves – it may only be a matter of time before the storm gets closer to us,” she said.
onsdag 26. mai 2021
China urges New Zealand to work together and ‘rise above distractions’
China has urged New Zealand to work in “the same direction, make the pie of cooperation bigger, rise above external distractions”, in response to comments made by foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta in a Guardian interview. Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian, said that progress in relations could be achieved “on the premise that the two sides have long been committed to mutual respect, mutual trust and win-win results”. He urged Wellington to work with China to advance a “comprehensive strategic partnership”.
Mahuta told the Guardian that New Zealand could find itself at the heart of a “storm” of anger from China, and exporters should diversify to ensure they could ride out a less-rosy relationship with Beijing. She pointed to the experience of neighbouring Australia, which is in a deepening trade war with China. “We cannot ignore, obviously, what’s happening in Australia with their relationship with China. And if they are close to an eye of the storm or in the eye of the storm, we’ve got to legitimately ask ourselves – it may only be a matter of time before the storm gets closer to us,” she said.
Mahuta told the Guardian that New Zealand could find itself at the heart of a “storm” of anger from China, and exporters should diversify to ensure they could ride out a less-rosy relationship with Beijing. She pointed to the experience of neighbouring Australia, which is in a deepening trade war with China. “We cannot ignore, obviously, what’s happening in Australia with their relationship with China. And if they are close to an eye of the storm or in the eye of the storm, we’ve got to legitimately ask ourselves – it may only be a matter of time before the storm gets closer to us,” she said.
