Jacinda Ardern soft-pedals on China’s Pacific ambitions

A "self-fulfilling prophecy" of a breakdown in relations with China should be avoided, says PM Jacinda Ardern. (Image: BusinessDesk)

Pattrick Smellie

Thu, 07 Jul 2022

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern has used a speech to Australia’s influential foreign policy think tank, the Lowy Institute, to de-escalate growing tensions between New Zealand and China caused by Chinese actions in the Pacific region.Ardern acknowledged China as “part of a family” of nations with involvement in the Pacific, which should be led by Pacific Island governments, but which include NZ, Australia, the UK, United States and China.“It would be wrong to characterise this engagement, including that of China, as new,&r...

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