New Zealand PM Hipkins backs ‘tough conversations’ with China to manage ‘complex’ ties

Chris Hipkins, who recently met Chinese President Xi Jinping, said Wellington would disagree with Beijing in areas where it challenges his country’s national interests

But he added the path of engagement will be ‘open and honest’

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang (left) holds a welcoming ceremony for New Zealand’s Prime Minister of Chris Hipkins in Beijing on June 28. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 1:32pm, 7 Jul 2023

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Friday New Zealand will require continued engagement with China, its largest trading partner, but would disagree with Beijing in areas where it challenges New Zealand’s national interests.

New Zealand has long been seen as a moderate or even absent voice on China in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which includes the United States and allies, and is carefully managing its relationship with China amid the strategic rivalry between Beijing and Washington.

“A strong, mature and complex relationship [with China] means we will have those tough conversations … but I think it’s better to be talking than not,” Hipkins said in a speech at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.

New Zealand will continue to disagree with China on several issues, including human rights, but the path of engagement will be “open and honest”, he said.

The speech comes about a week after Hipkins’ six-day visit to China, which included meetings with Xi Jinping, where the Chinese President said Beijing had always treated New Zealand as a “friend and partner”.