Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Minister Mahuta and China’s State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met in the margins of ASEAN and the East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The meeting built on previous virtual engagements, most recently in June.
Minister Mahuta acknowledged the importance of Aotearoa New Zealand and China’s relationship – this year marking 50 years of diplomatic relations – and our significant economic, people-to-people, and cultural connections. Both sides highlighted the areas where China and New Zealand cooperate, including trade, agriculture, climate change and the environment.
Both sides underlined the importance of organising high-level visits when COVID conditions allowed.
Minister Mahuta observed that there are some issues on which our views differ. She noted New Zealand’s deep concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and the erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.
The Minister pointed to the need to look beyond the “firsts” to a mature relationship that respects New Zealand’s independent foreign policy.
In relation to the Pacific, the Minister emphasised the importance of the Pacific Islands Forum, and Pacific-led responses to Pacific priorities, including in the field of security.
The Minister stressed the importance of all partners of ASEAN making utmost efforts to help return Myanmar to the path of peace and democracy; expressed concern at the record number of ballistic missile tests conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea this year in violation of UN Security Council resolutions; as well as over developments in the South China Sea.
The Minister restated Aotearoa New Zealand’s interest in peace and stability in the region, including across the Taiwan Strait, and emphasised the importance of de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue.
The Minister urged China to be clear, in line with its commitment to the UN Charter, that it does not support Russia’s unlawful aggression against Ukraine, and encouraged China to use its access and influence with Russia to promote a return to diplomacy.
The Minister accepted Minister Wang Yi’s invitation to visit China when conditions allowed.