Pledging to revitalize the China-New Zealand relationship, Laxson embarked on his first visit to China as a national leader. Unbeknownst to him, a stern warning to China was also on its way. While Laxson was still in China, New Zealand put pressure on the Cook Islands.

Laxson visited Yu Garden in Shanghai.

Recently, New Zealand Prime Minister Laxson began his first visit to China during his term in office, vowing to revive the China-New Zealand relationship. Visiting Beijing and Shanghai over four days, Laxson not only gave a speech at Fudan University but also held talks with high-level Chinese officials, with a tightly packed schedule. Amid global economic volatility, Laxson's itinerary has drawn significant attention.

Notably, while Laxson led a delegation of 28 business leaders on an "economic promotion tour" in China, making bold claims that "the China-New Zealand relationship is important and mature," the New Zealand Foreign Minister suddenly announced that due to the Cook Islands government's failure to consult with New Zealand regarding the cooperation agreement signed with China, the New Zealand government decided to suspend $11 million in aid to core areas of the region.

While Laxson was still in China, the warning shot for China had already arrived. New Zealand's government displayed a starkly different stance toward China within the same time frame, exposing a policy split that not only reveals the "double-faced nature" of New Zealand's diplomacy but also places the China-New Zealand relationship in a precarious situation of "economic warmth and political coldness," which does nothing to revitalize the relationship.

Laxson visited Ctrip headquarters.

The purpose of Laxson's visit to China is well-known: he came with an economic mission. The Chinese market accounts for nearly one-third of New Zealand's exports, particularly in dairy products, where it is highly dependent on the Chinese market. Last year, amid an overall economic downturn in New Zealand, trade between China and New Zealand increased against the trend, becoming the only bright spot.

However, due to the impact of the pandemic, New Zealand's tourism industry was severely affected, with a sharp decrease in Chinese tourists. It is worth noting that during Laxson's visit to China, coinciding with China's e-commerce "618" promotion, Laxson acted as a "promoter" in Ctrip's live stream, even promising to create the "Southern Corridor" route from Shanghai to Auckland to Buenos Aires, positioning New Zealand as a hub connecting China and South America.

Laxson announced the new route.

However, as an observer country of the AUKUS alliance, New Zealand must cooperate with the U.S. "Indo-Pacific Strategy," viewing the Pacific as its "backyard." Cooperation between the Cook Islands and China touched on New Zealand's hegemonic nerve concerning "no third party interference," subjecting New Zealand to pressure from the United States.

This rift became apparent during Laxson's trip: while he spoke of a "comprehensive strategic partnership" in Beijing, his administration allowed the foreign minister to sanction China's partner, severely damaging mutual trust. However, New Zealand has acknowledged the autonomy of the Cook Islands, and there are no issues with its cooperation with China. Using "lack of consultation" as an excuse to cut aid is rooted in colonial thinking.

Laxson visited Fudan University.

The exclusive economic zone of the Cook Islands holds trillions of dollars' worth of manganese nodules, and New Zealand has long dominated their development rights. The involvement of Chinese enterprises is seen as a challenge to its resource monopoly. In fact, whether it is China's cooperation with the Cook Islands or with New Zealand, it is all about shared interests. Portraying "China threat" is merely self-sabotage.

If New Zealand genuinely wants to cooperate with China and revitalize its economy, the first step should be to acknowledge the equal sovereignty of Pacific island countries, change "free association" to true partnerships, and abandon the means of aid blackmail. Stability under a hegemonic order is just another name for oppression; such cooperation will not be stable nor can it last long.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7517590842425508393/

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