[ad_1]
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
The foreign minister is not sure whether New Zealand has offended China, but admits that a statement made by a government official about taking his eyes off those who interfere with the country’s business is “strongly worded.”
Dom Thomas / RNZ
New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nanaia Mahuta.
The Five Eyes intelligence network, which includes New Zealand, Australia, Britain, the United States and Canada, made a joint statement saying that Beijing was trying to silence political opposition on Chinese soil.
The countries called for China to immediately reinstate recently fired members of Hong Kong’s legislature, saying the new rule changes appeared to be a concerted campaign to silence critical voices.
READ MORE:
* ‘Why keep quiet?’: China points to Australia’s human rights record
* China’s taste for more trade is an advantage for NZ: specialist
* New Zealand joins Five Eyes allies in condemning China for ‘concerted campaign to silence all critical voices’ in Hong Kong
* New Zealand missing in Five Eyes sentence to Beijing by Hong Kong security law
In response, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that “it does not matter whether they have five eyes or ten; if they dare to damage China’s sovereignty, security and development, they must be careful or their eyes will be gouged out.”
Nanaia Mahuta said she could not assess whether the statement was a threat, but “the words can be interpreted in many ways.”
He also described the response as “strongly worded”.
Mahuta was not sure whether the Five Eyes statement had offended China, but said she intended to speak with Chinese officials soon.
He also did not want to say what would happen if China did not revoke the new rules.
New Zealand’s conclusion was that China would “really reconsider that action, but more importantly, the deal with Hong Kong that will move to China from the UK is that there would be a high level of autonomy and that would allow for freedom of expression. .. “I would like you to reflect on the decisions that prevent this rapprochement,” he said.
Mahuta stressed that New Zealand has a respectful relationship with China that is “maturing.”
“The mature relationship allows us to understand what we are very clear about in terms of values and principles: New Zealand has been very consistent on that front,” Mahuta said.
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
