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The Chinese embassy in Wellington warned New Zealand that it should “refrain from doing bad things that damage friendship.”
The comment came after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday sought to issue tit-for-tat between New Zealand and Beijing as proof of a “mature relationship,” and said a threat to “prick and blind” the nations of the Five Eyes “was not unexpected.”
In a joint statement Thursday by the Five Eyes nations – New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia – China was condemned for a “breach” of international obligations.
The criticism of China followed the disqualification of four Hong Kong lawmakers from the city’s Legislative Council, which came after orders from the National People’s Congress in Beijing.
ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says it was “absolutely China’s right” to respond to the Five Eyes statement on Hong Kong.
READ MORE:
* ‘It is not a language we would use’, says Jacinda Ardern after China warns of ‘eyes are poked and blinded’
* NZ joins Five Eyes allies in condemning China for ‘concerted campaign to silence all critical voices’ in Hong Kong
* New Zealand joins 38 countries in a statement criticizing China
The Chinese embassy in Wellington issued a statement Monday afternoon saying that the Five Eyes countries were in “flagrant violation of international law and the basic rules governing international relations” for blatantly finger pointing.
“Once prejudice and arrogance spread, they are like fire burning in the desert,” the statement read.
“The Chinese side urges the Five Eyes alliance and its members to abide by international law and the basic rules governing international relations, refrain from following the wrong path and conspire with each other in wrongdoing.
“We hope that the relevant country will adhere to an independent foreign policy, maintain the political foundation of bilateral relations, refrain from doing bad things that damage the friendship, and do more for mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation.”
The statement went on to say that the Five Eyes nations were “openly pointing out the Hong Kong affairs of China.”
“[This] it is a flagrant violation of international law and the basic norms that govern international relations ”.
The statement also said that the decision to disqualify lawmakers was “necessary and essential” to improve Hong Kong’s government.
AP
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian responded to the Five Eyes nations after a statement was issued denouncing the disqualification of lawmakers in Hong Kong.
“It is completely wrong and without taking into account the basic facts and legal basis for some countries to take the Sino-British Joint Declaration as an excuse again and again to accuse China of ‘failing to comply with its international obligations.’
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Friday that the Five Eyes nations “must be careful of getting their eyes pricked and blinded” if they “dare to harm sovereignty, security and rights. China’s development interests. “
Ardern, on Monday afternoon, said it was “absolutely China’s right” to respond to the concerns raised by New Zealand.
“It is not surprising that China made these comments. However, what we have said will also not be unexpected on our part, because we have been very consistent, Ardern said.
“This is the sign of a mature relationship. We will raise issues when we see them, as all New Zealanders expect us to do so, and at the same time, I have the view that we can fix them.
“We have an independent foreign policy. We need to raise concerns where we see them, and it is absolutely China’s right to respond to that. “
