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Statement by the Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand on New Zealand's Comments to NATO Session
2022-06-30 14:41

We have taken note of the relevant comment made by the New Zealand side at the NATO session, which includes some misguided accusations against China, claiming that "China has in recent times also become more assertive and more willing to challenge international rules and norms". That allegation is wrong and thus regrettable. It is obvious that such commentis not helpful for deepening mutual trust between the two countries, or for the efforts made by the two countries to keep our bilateral relations on the right track.

China is firmly committed to upholding multilateralism,supporting the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on the Charter of the UN, international law and the universally recognized basic norms governing international relations. At the same time, China opposes attempts by a small number of countries to impose their own will and so-called "values" on others under the guise of multilateralism.We also take a firm stand against their attempts to define international rules by their own rules with a viewto shoring up their own dominance and even hegemony. It is those attempts that have eroded the foundation of multilateralism, undermined international peace and stability, and disrupted the joint efforts of international community in promoting sustainable development and addressing global challenges. In fact, the overwhelmingmajority of the international community have come to their own conclusions as to who has been undermining multilateralism and the universally recognized international rules and order.

We have noted that the New Zealand side mentioned that it made this position out of the need to respond to the escalation of tension in the region, claiming that We see the mounting pressure on the international rules-based order. We see attempts to disrupt and destabilise.China's position on its relations with the South Pacific is consistent and clear. Our goal is to deepen the long-standing partnership with South Pacific countries to help island countries partnersenhance their development capacity, better respond to climate change, the single greatest challenge facing them, and achieve sustainable development. In that process, China is ready to work together with all relevant parties sharing this goal. If there is indeed an escalation of tension in the Pacific, it cannot have been caused by China's cooperation with its island partners to advance sustainable development . Such cooperation has nothing to do with the "militarization" of the region. If militarization does exist in the South Pacific , it is clear to all who and what is fueling such tensions.

We have also noted that the New Zealand side has reiterated that it remains committed to the independent foreign policy, does not seek to expand military alliances or to judge foreign policy interventions based on political ideology, and calls for focusing on de-escalation, peace and stability. Chinas position on the military alliances such as NATO is consistent. We strongly oppose all kinds of military alliances, bloc politics, or exclusive small groups that divide the world into opposing camps along ideological faultlines, and lead to geopolitical contentions. We are also against taking sides or forcing others to take sides. We believe in security for all countries and solidarity in response to common challenges. 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and New Zealand. Over the past half a century, through the joint efforts of both sides, our relationship has made tremendous progress and brought tangible benefits to both countries and above all, both peoples. The achievements have not come out of nowhere or as a matter of course, and should be cherished and nurtured carefully by both sides. China is willing to work with New Zealand on the basis of mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and win-win cooperation, to implement the consensus between our leaders on promoting the healthy and steady development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between us, and to continuously expand commonalities while constructively managing differences through dialogues and consultations, so as to push our bilateral relations forward in a changing world and better benefit the two countries and two peoples, and at the same time, make more contribution to international and regional peace, stability and prosperity.


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