February 20, 2019
Peters wanting respect in China stand off
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is describing stories about worsening relations between New Zealand and China as a media beat up.
Tensions are said to be rising since New Zealand ruled out using technology for Chinese company Huawei for the 5G telecommunications network.
Stories have pointed to evidence of the rift in an Air New Zealand flight turned back from Shanghai because it lacked the necessary landing permit, lower numbers of fee-paying students from China enrolling this year in New Zealand high schools, and anecdotal tales of New Zealand produce being held up at Chinese ports.
Mr Peters says the relationship is fine.
"I expect and we expect, this Government expects every country to respect New Zealand and give New Zealand a fair go. We have the same rules for every country. We work hard to try to relate to and connect with every country and we expect them to give us some respect for what we are and who we are," Mr Peters says.
He says former politicians have contacted him to say they did not make comments attributed to them about China, or they were said a year ago and were being taken out of context.
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