New Zealand (Common Wealth) _ Last week, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins made his first trip to China as leader, focusing on trade and economic prospects but avoiding controversial matters such as human rights violations in Xinjiang or security concerns.
With only three months until what appears to be a close election and the economy already technically in recession, commentators believe Hipkins is attempting to emerge from the shadow of high-profile former leader Jacinda Ardern and demonstrate that he is the right person to lead the country for another three years.
One angle Hipkins is emphasizing is convincing people that Labour is the party that can restore prosperity, which includes avoiding trade disputes with the country’s main trading partner, which might harm New Zealand exports.
“This was a big visit for Hipkins, who is cementing his profile as a new prime minister in an election year,” said Robert Ayson, a Victoria University professor of strategic studies.
New Zealand has traditionally been seen as the most accommodating to China among the Five Eyes security alliance, which also includes Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
However, in recent talks with peers, the country’s Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Ardern raised worries about the situation in Xinjiang and the deterioration of democracy in Hong Kong, as well as potential militarization in the pacific region and uneasiness in Taiwan Strait.
None of these topics were mentioned in the statement issued following Hipkins’ meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
(Hipkins’) visit undoubtedly handed China a tick in the international legitimacy box, and Beijing has benefited at least as much as New Zealand exporters, according to Victoria University’s Ayson.
New Zealand exporters were featured in the tour, with the prime minister leading a delegation of 29 enterprises to China.
Business is not a traditional Labour Party supporting base, but Hipkins has worked hard to win over this sector since taking office, spending his first full day on the job in January meeting with business executives in Auckland.
There’s a substantial part of domestic politics here in an election year, and Hipkins wants to be perceived as a good steward of the China relationship, according to David Capie, Director of Victoria University’s Centre for Strategic Studies.
