AUCKLAND, New Zealand (CU)_New Zealand has refrained from joining the other four members of the “Five Eyes” intelligence sharing alliance, in criticising China’s latest efforts suppress pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong.
“New Zealand has serious concerns about the situation in Hong Kong. Sometimes we will comment on events with partners who share our concerns,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement on Sunday (Jan 10).
Meanwhile, the Unites states, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia also issued a joint statement, expressing “serious concern” about the arrest of 55 democracy advocates and supporters in Hong Kong last week.
This move by the Communist Superpower, is considered to be the largest crackdown since Beijing imposed a controversial National Security Law on Hong Kong in June, and is widely seen as a move an effort to strengthen Beijing’s control over the territory by criminalising protests and freedom of speech.
The four allies said that the National Security Law, which has “curtailed the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong”, is being used to “eliminate dissent and opposing political views”.
“We call on the Hong Kong and Chinese central authorities to respect the legally guaranteed rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong without fear of arrest and detention,” the statement read.
However, New Zealand did not sign up on the joint statement, and instead, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta expressed her concerns separately on Twitter.
“Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply concerned by the recent arrest of a number of pro-democracy advocates in #HongKong,” she wrote. “This represents another effort to erode the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong and further undermine the one country two systems framework.”
In the recent months, New Zealand has been trying to outline its own approach in dealing with China, its single largest export market. As the United States continues to remain locked in a damaging trade war with Beijing, the other three members of the alliance, especially Australia, have also suffered economic repercussions after criticising China.
Under the Sino-China Joint Declaration, Hong Kong, which was a British colony, was handed back to China in 1997 upon an agreement with China over a “one country, two systems” approach, which meant that Hong Kong would have its own legal system and borders.
However, under President Xi Jinping, China has not only eroded these freedoms of Hong Kong, but has also dramatically stepped up its efforts to control the territory since the latest round of pro-democracy protests in 2019.
The Hong Kong government, which is now crowded with pro-Beijing lawmakers, condemned the statement from the four countries, claiming that they were appalled by remarks made by “some overseas government officials” alleging that people with certain political beliefs should be immune to legal sanctions.
