We have taken note of the Joint Statement after Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations, in which groundless accusations have been made on China’s internal affairs. We strongly deplore and firmly oppose it.
Matters related to Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are purely China’s internal affairs which bear on China’s core interests, and brook no external interference.
Xinjiang and Xizang are inalienable parts of China’s territory from ancient times. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, great economic and social development achievements have been made in Xijiang and Xizang under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and the equal rights and interests of people of all ethnic groups have been fully guaranteed. Especially in recent years, with the support of the central government and the joint efforts of local people of all ethnic groups, the economic and social development has achieved great leaps forward, with people of all ethnic groups living and working in happiness and harmony. Such achievements are recognized by all those without prejudice and bias, and have received wide recognition by the international community.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, in accordance with the Basic Law and with the support of the central government, has implemented effective measures in recent years to improve the governance of Hongkong, which has ended chaos and restored order, thus bringing back unity and prosperity in Hong Kong. A Hong Kong with long-term stability, prosperity and stability is an integral part of the overall stable economic and social development of China. At the same time, as an international financial and shipping hub, Hong Kong’s sustained stability and prosperity is also in the common interests of all parties. The Hong Kong SAR government is promoting the legislation related to the National Security Law in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, in order to ensure Hong Kong’s long-term stability and prosperity and to effectively counter foreign interference, which have received broad-based support from the general public in Hong Kong.
The One-China Principle is a prevailing international consensus and one of the basic norms governing international relations. It is also the political foundation for the establishment and development of China’s diplomatic relations with 183 countries. Meanwhile, upholding and maintaining the One-China Principle is the strongest and best safeguard of peace and stability in Taiwan Straits. We hope countries including New Zealand will abide by and uphold the One-China Principle with concrete actions, refrain from any official interaction with the Taiwanese authorities, stop obscuring and hollowing out the One-China Principle in any form or sending any wrong signal to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.
The situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea is generally stable. Relevant countries need to respect the efforts of regional countries to uphold peace and stability, and stop sowing discord or creating confrontation.
We also note that AUKUS is mentioned in the said statement. Like all peace-loving countries, China has serious concerns over AUKUS. The nuclear related cooperation under AUKUS runs counter to the letter and spirit of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and constitutes grave nuclear proliferation risks. China is also following closely the implications of AUKUS and its implementation for the nuclear-free polices of countries in the region. More importantly, AUKUS is a stark manifestation of Cold War mentality as it seeks to establish a nuclear-related exclusive military alliance that targets third parties. It will not make either the relevant parties or the wider region more secure. On the contrary, it will undermine peace and stability, sow division and confrontation in the region, and thus runs against the common interests of regional countries pursuing peace, stability and common security. It is hoped that relevant countries will cherish the hard-won environment for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and be prudent with their words and action to maintain peace, stability and development in the region with concrete actions .
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and New Zealand. With our joint efforts, China-New Zealand relationship has maintained a momentum of healthy and sound development. The nature of China-New Zealand relationship is mutually beneficial cooperation; its foundation is mutual respect and mutual trust; its future depends on the common efforts from both sides. China stands ready to work with New Zealand on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, and constructive management of differences, to promote our bilateral relationship, bringing more benefits to the two countries and peoples. We hope the New Zealand side will also make their efforts towards that end.