[ad_1]
New Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta ignored China’s threat today to New Zealand and four other nations that they must “be careful that their eyes are poked and blinded.” He expressed confidence that New Zealand and China have a “mature relationship”, allowing for difficult talks.
Nanaia Mahuta – archive. Source: 1 NEWS
It comes after New Zealand together with its Five Eyes partners – Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States – issued a statement yesterday in which they reiterated “serious concern about the imposition of new rules by China to disqualify elected legislators in Hong Kong “.
The statement called the imposition of the National Security Law and the postponement of the Legislative Council elections a “clear breach of its international obligations” and a decision that “further undermines Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, rights and freedoms. “.
“For the sake of Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity, it is essential that China and the Hong Kong authorities respect the channels for the Hong Kong people to express their legitimate concerns and opinions.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian replied: “It doesn’t matter if they have five or ten eyes, if they dare to harm China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, they should be careful to get pricked. and blind the eyes. “
Mahuta said there is no comparison between the size of China and New Zealand, “but as a country we pride ourselves on maintaining an independent foreign policy.”
Your playlist will load after this announcement.
The regime is attacking the Five Eyes nations for speaking out about the anti-democratic measures in Hong Kong. Source: 1 NEWS
“We are very aware of the importance of maintaining stability and prosperity in our region.
“We will continue to defend the values and principles that underpin an open democracy, things like freedom of expression, the ability of people to participate in their democratic institutions, freedom of the press.
Mahuta added that joining the Five Eyes statement was an opportunity “to turn up the dial and say, ‘Actually, there are many countries that feel the same way.’ Kong “.
On the “eyes closed and blinded” statement, Mahuta said New Zealand has a respectful relationship with China.
“Regardless of the language China uses, I keep expressing that a mature relationship would really show through to the surface to have a difficult conversation.
“If we have a mature relationship with any country, we can respect each other’s differences without compromising some of the fundamental rights and freedoms that should be maintained.”
