Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Leader Xi Jinping has conveyed to New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon that New Zealand should perceive Beijing as an āopportunityā rather than a threat.
This message comes at a time when the conservative-leaning New Zealand government is realigning itself with traditional Western allies while also maintaining economic ties with China.
The two leaders had a face-to-face meeting during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Lima, Peru, where Xi praised New Zealandās strategic autonomy in an editorial in the CCP newspaper China Daily.
It appears that Beijing is capitalizing on the growing concerns of smaller nations in the Indo-Pacific region regarding U.S. trade restrictions as an opportunity to strengthen alliances.
During APEC, Luxon had numerous bilateral meetings where President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff policies were not a primary topic of discussion.
While protectionism and the erosion of the rules-based order were important topics, smaller nations expressed their concerns about Trump’s policies in a diplomatic manner.
Approximately one in four jobs in New Zealand relies on trade, and any increase in tariffs could have significant ramifications on its exports to the United States, its third-largest export market.
Advocating for Collaboration Among Smaller Nations: Luxon
During his time in Peru, Luxon focused on encouraging leaders of small exporting economies to collaborate to enhance their collective influence and power.
He also emphasized the need for international bodies like the World Trade Organization (WTO) to evolve and strengthen in the face of global challenges.
In addition to trade, New Zealand likely raised concerns about human rights, missile testing, and aggression in the Pacific with Xi, who may have downplayed or denied these issues.
When faced with concerns about its actions in the Indo-Pacific, Beijing typically blames alliances between the United States and its allies, portraying its actions as defensive responses.
Xi also expressed reservations about New Zealand’s interest in joining Pillar Two of AUKUS, the non-nuclear component of the pact for technology sharing.
Despite this, Luxon sees the agreement as beneficial for regional stability and security, provided that the United States fulfills Pillar One (nuclear submarines) and maintains a consistent perspective on its value.
While Xi’s initial attempt to sway New Zealand in favor of Beijing may have fallen short, Luxon’s stance reflects the view that while China presents trade opportunities, it also poses a potential threat to Indo-Pacific stability.
