New Zealand foreign minister to question Chinese naval activity in Beijing visit
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New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ visit to China is part of a trip that includes stops in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WELLINGTON – New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters will touch down in Beijing on Feb 25 for a three-day visit as relations between the two countries are strained after Chinese navy vessels conducted live-firing exercises in the Tasman Sea.
New Zealand and Australian officials said China had conducted live-firing exercises in international waters between the two nations, giving little notice and forcing commercial airlines to divert flights
The three ships are currently around 280 nautical miles east of Tasmania, outside of Australia’s exclusive economic zone, the New Zealand Defence Force said on Feb 24.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Feb 24 said the limited notice China had given that it would undertake a live firing exercise would be raised in Beijing.
“There is nothing illegal here in terms of (if) they are compliant with international law,” Mr Luxon said. “The issue for us is... we’d appreciate a little bit more advance notice, particularly on what is a busy air route.”
China’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mr Peters’ visit to China is part of a trip that includes stops in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Mongolia and South Korea.
In Beijing, he will hold talks with senior Chinese leaders, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Mr Peters said last week in a statement that he would discuss with Chinese officials the bilateral relationship, as well as Pacific, regional and global issues that are of interest to both countries.
“China is one of New Zealand’s most significant and complex relationships, encompassing important trade, people-to-people and cultural connections. We intend to maintain regular high-level political dialogue with China,” he said.
Mr Peters has also voiced concerns that the Cook Islands, an independent country in free association with New Zealand, had signed a comprehensive strategic partnership
Associate Professor Jason Young, director of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre at Victoria University in Wellington, said while questions around challenging issues such as the Cook Islands deal and the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s activities in the Tasman Sea would be asked, there would also be discussion around further high-level visits and trade. REUTERS
