New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta stated that she had a strong and intense discussion with her Chinese counterpart, indicating a potentially tense relationship between the two countries. Australian sources claim that Mahuta faced severe criticism and rebuke during a meeting with China’s foreign minister Qin Gang in March. Despite the challenging nature of the discussion, Mahuta emphasized that the invitation for New Zealand’s prime minister to visit China reflects the mature nature of the relationship and the ability to engage in robust conversations while maintaining trade ties. Mahuta did not provide further details on the specific topics discussed during the meeting.
China serves as New Zealand’s primary export market, particularly for its dairy industry. Mahuta has previously adopted a more cautious stance in criticizing China’s human rights record compared to neighboring Australia.
