The Front Page PM dismisses claims of 'frosty' China-NZ relations, junior doctors strike
Feb 12, 2019
21:59
The New Zealand-China relationship continues to come under the microscope as it's thought diplomatic links have plummeted to a new low.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was scheduled to visit China early this year, but the invitation has been put on hold.
And this morning, the Herald revealed the 2019 China-New Zealand Year of Tourism was meant to be launched with great fanfare at Wellington's Te Papa museum next week, but that has been postponed by China.
That initiative was announced by the Key Government almost two years ago when Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was in Wellington.
The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment says China has advised that this event has had to be postponed due to change of schedule on the Chinese side.
Officials are now working with China to reschedule the opening.
But it's thought that China sees New Zealand as taking sides with the United States, after the Government's chief spy agency, the GCSB, axed the Chinese telco giant Huawei from the Spark 5G broadband rollout.
The Trump Administration publicly asked its Five Eyes partners not to do business with Huawei.
Philip Burdon, a former National Government Trade Minister and recently chairman of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, says New Zealand can't afford to take sides.
He believes China feels slighted by New Zealand over the decision to block Huawei.
Also today, junior doctors go on strike, two men are charged over the December murder of Shannon Baker and Cocksy's last laugh.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was scheduled to visit China early this year, but the invitation has been put on hold.
And this morning, the Herald revealed the 2019 China-New Zealand Year of Tourism was meant to be launched with great fanfare at Wellington's Te Papa museum next week, but that has been postponed by China.
That initiative was announced by the Key Government almost two years ago when Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was in Wellington.
The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment says China has advised that this event has had to be postponed due to change of schedule on the Chinese side.
Officials are now working with China to reschedule the opening.
But it's thought that China sees New Zealand as taking sides with the United States, after the Government's chief spy agency, the GCSB, axed the Chinese telco giant Huawei from the Spark 5G broadband rollout.
The Trump Administration publicly asked its Five Eyes partners not to do business with Huawei.
Philip Burdon, a former National Government Trade Minister and recently chairman of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, says New Zealand can't afford to take sides.
He believes China feels slighted by New Zealand over the decision to block Huawei.
Also today, junior doctors go on strike, two men are charged over the December murder of Shannon Baker and Cocksy's last laugh.
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