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New Zealand has once again refrained from joining the other four members of the “Five Eyes” intelligence sharing alliance in condemning China’s latest efforts to crack down on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, and the Foreign Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, expressed her concerns separately.
This appears to be part of an effort by New Zealand to distance itself from the other members of the alliance, all of whom have been embroiled in complicated diplomatic disputes with China that have had major economic consequences.
“New Zealand has serious concerns about the situation in Hong Kong. Sometimes we will discuss events with partners who share our concerns, “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said yesterday in a statement.
The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia issued a joint statement on Sunday expressing “serious concern” over the arrest of 55 democracy advocates, including prominent activist Joshua Wong, and supporters in Hong Kong last week.
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It was the biggest crackdown since China imposed a controversial National Security Law in Hong Kong in June, a move widely seen as an effort to criminalize protest and freedom of expression and strengthen Beijing’s control over the nominally semi-autonomous territory.
The National Security Law “has restricted the rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people,” the statement by the four allies said, adding that it was clearly being used “to eliminate dissent and opposing political views.”
“We call on the central authorities of Hong Kong and China to respect the legally guaranteed rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people without fear of arrest and detention,” the statement said.
Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta tweeted her concern over Hong Kong’s arrests last week.
But New Zealand’s concern did not adhere to the joint statement, continuing a pattern of joining forces at times but not at other times. Instead, Mahuta issued his own statement. On twitter last week.
“Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply concerned by the recent arrest of several democracy advocates in #HongKong,” she wrote. “This represents another effort to erode the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong and further undermine the framework of one country and two systems.”
Jason Young, an expert at the University of Victoria on Chinese political-economic and institutional reforms, said New Zealand’s decision to go it alone with its criticism could be seen as more “forceful” as it cannot be perceived as giving in to Biggest Five Eyes pressure. partners.
The choice to go solo had a precedent, he said. “I would suggest that it is really important that New Zealand and other countries make statements on these kinds of issues.”
Supplied
Victoria University China expert Jason Young says New Zealand’s solo criticism of the Hong Kong arrests could be seen as more forceful than a group effort.
New Zealand has been trying to establish its own ground by dealing with China, its largest export market, and also with the United States under an increasingly belligerent president, Donald Trump.
The United States under Trump has been embroiled in a damaging trade war that has taken on a political dimension. The other three members of the Five Eyes alliance, the United Kingdom, Canada and more recently Australia, have also suffered economic repercussions after criticizing China, and in Beijing they are seen as being at the disposal of Washington.
Kin Cheung / AP
Former Democratic Party legislators Andrew Wan, left, Lam Cheuk-ting, second left, and Helena Wong, right, attend a press conference after being released on bail in Hong Kong on Friday.
Under President Xi Jinping, China has steadily eroded the freedoms that Hong Kong should enjoy until 2047, under the 1997 handover agreement between China and the United Kingdom, but has dramatically stepped up its efforts to control the territory since the last. policy round. protests for democracy in 2019.
The Hong Kong government, which is now packed with pro-Beijing lawmakers, condemned the declaration by the four countries. “We are dismayed by comments made by some government officials abroad that seemed to suggest that people with certain political beliefs should be immune from legal sanctions,” he said.
Most of those arrested last week had participated in an unofficial primary for a legislative election that was later postponed. Authorities allege that the primaries were part of a plot to seize control of the legislature in order to paralyze the government and force the city leader to resign.
The 55 have not been charged, and all but three have been released on bail pending further investigation. Convictions could disqualify them from running for public office.
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