New Zealand’s foreign minister, Nanaia Mahuta, told Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang that her government has “deep concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and the erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.” She also raised worries about “developments in the South China Sea” and warned that Wellington would be alarmed by any provision of lethal aid to support Russia’s illegal war. The remarks were made during Mahuta’s meeting with Qin, a statement released on Saturday noted.
Mahuta’s visit marked the first time a New Zealand foreign minister had traveled to China since 2018. While there, she also met with Wang Yi, director of China’s Central Foreign Affairs Commission, and expressed hope that her trip would restart “high‑level” dialogue between the two countries. She highlighted the prospect of a visit from New Zealand’s new prime minister, Chris Hipkins, and emphasized Aotearoa New Zealand’s interest in a peaceful, stable, and resilient Pacific region.
New Zealand has previously criticised China, its largest trading partner, over reports of repression of the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang and has joined the United States in accusing Beijing of expanding its military presence in the Pacific. Taiwan’s 23.5 million residents continue to live under the threat of a Chinese invasion, as Beijing claims the self‑ruled democracy as part of its territory and has intensified saber‑rattling under President Xi Jinping. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has further heightened Taiwanese fears that China might adopt a similar approach.
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