Wellington/Beijing: New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has issued a warning against China. ‘We cannot ignore, obviously, what’s happening in Australia with their relationship with China. And if they are close to an eye of the storm or in the eye of the storm, we’ve got to ask ourselves legitimately – it may only be a matter of time before the storm gets closer to us,’ Mahuta said. The foreign minister’s remarks have drawn a reaction from China. China has warned New Zealand and said it needs to work in the same direction, make the cooperation more extensive and rise above external distractions.  

China is recognised as Australia’s largest trading partner. At the same time, China has stepped up its influence in various sectors of Australia, based on which it has even begun to intervene in the country’s affairs. On the other hand, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his government are taking a slew of aggressive decisions to curb the interference. The Morrison government’s moves have unsettled China. So now China is trying to pressurise Australia by using its trade and economic power. China has slapped increased tariffs on several Australian goods being imported while also imposing unannounced bans on some of them. The country has even suspended its dialogue with Australian ministers.  

After Australia, the relations between New Zealand and China are now likely to worsen. In 2018, New Zealand decided to ban the Chinese company Huawei. Subsequently, New Zealand took a stand against China over the laws in Tibet, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the atrocities against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Ever since Australia took a firm stance on the issues, China began to deal economic and trade blows to the country. New Zealand’s foreign minister appears to have issued a warning in the wake of the events.  

Foreign Minister Mahuta has called on New Zealand’s industry to focus on other markets apart from China. Also, Mahuta expressly indicated that ‘New Zealand needs to start preparing to brace for the turn of events if something significant happens with China.’ The bilateral trade between New Zealand and China is worth $21 billion, making China New Zealand’s largest trading partner. About 30 per cent of New Zealand’s total exports are made to China. Moreover, only a few months ago, New Zealand had agreed to extend the free trade agreement with China by ten years. 

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