A virtual meeting between the foreign ministers of China and New Zealand was held on Monday, where they reaffirmed the relationship between the two countries and discussed Beijing’s growing involvement in the Pacific.
It came after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi finished a diplomatic tour around the Pacific where he attempted to mobilise 10 pacific nations to sign off on a controversial economic and security pact.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta expressed concern about China’s expanding influence in the region but stopped short of voicing criticism.
“Minister Mahuta acknowledged that China has been present in the Pacific for a long time, but underlined the importance of engagement taking place in a manner that advances Pacific priorities,” a statement by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said….