JAKARTA - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday May 3, China and New Zealand have roles that are difficult to reconcile, as Beijing's role in the world continues to grow and develop.
In his speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland Ardern said there were things that China and New Zealand did not, could not and would not agree with. However, these differences need not define their relationship.
"It will not go unnoticed by anyone here, as China's role in the world grows and changes, the differences between our system and the interests and values that make up that system, become increasingly difficult to reconcile," Ardern said. May.
"This is a challenge that we, and many other countries in the Indo Pacific region, but also in Europe and other regions, are also grappling with," he added.
The comments come as New Zealand faces pressure from some elements among its Western allies over its reluctance to use the 'Five Eyes' intelligence and security alliance, which includes Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States, to criticize Beijing.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta last month said she was not comfortable expanding the role of 'Five Eyes'.
China, New Zealand's biggest trading partner, accused Five Eyes of ganging up on China by issuing statements about Hong Kong and the treatment of ethnic Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang.
Ardern said New Zealand would continue to talk about the issue individually and through its partners. According to him, managing relations with China is not always easy and there are no guarantees.
China is embroiled in a diplomatic spat with Australia and has imposed trade restrictions after Canberra lobbied for an international investigation into the source of the coronavirus. Beijing denies the restrictions are retaliatory, saying the cut in imports of Australian products was the result of the buyer's own decision.
PM Ardern added that he hopes China can understand how to treat its partners is important.
"We hope China also sees it in its core interests, to act in the world in a consistent manner, with its responsibilities as a developing power, including as a permanent member of the UN Security Council," he concluded.
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