With several of New Zealand s partners taking increasingly aggressive stands against China, there have been calls for Aotearoa to step up its response and join more Five Eyes statements on Beijing s interference in Hong Kong and treatment of the Uighurs in Xinjiang. That s despite New Zealand joining statements in the past and releasing some independently and with Australia.
China is New Zealand s largest trading partner, with two-way trade worth $33 billion. It has been suggested Wellington is biting its tongue so not to risk economic retaliation similar to what Australia has seen over the last year.
Appearing on Newshub Nation on Saturday, Mahuta was asked if she is prioritising cash and trade over humanity and ethics.
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Mahuta gave her second major speech as Foreign Affairs Minister at a NZ China Council meeting on Monday, laying out New Zealand s perspective on its relationship with China.
In it, Mahuta said there are some matters in which the two countries do not, cannot and will not, agree , before pinpointing concerns with Beijing s interference in Hong Kong s democracy, the treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang and cyber incidents.
She acknowledged New Zealand often speaks out alone and also sometimes in joint statements with partners. For example, Aotearoa has previously joined its Five Eyes partners in raising concern about actions in Hong Kong, but has also registered issues independently.