Operation seduction of the head of Chinese diplomacy in New Zealand and Australia

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi began an official visit to New Zealand and Australia on Sunday March 17.

A seduction operation in a context of slowing Chinese growth, and also against a backdrop of an international situation described as “tumultuous” by the head of Chinese diplomacy.

Objective: consolidate bilateral relations.

The welcome in Wellington was quite warm.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, with his New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters, in Wellington, New Zealand, this Monday, March 18, 2024. AP - Hagen Hopkins

By: RFI Follow

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“ 

I’ll just say: Nihao!

And welcome to

New Zealand

, it is a true privilege to be able to welcome you among us!

 » New Zealand Prime Minister

Christopher Luxon

does not hide his enthusiasm in front of his host, whose last visit dates back to 2017.

At the time, the country was ruled by Labour.

It has been governed today, for more than 100 days, by a tripartite coalition bringing together populists, liberals and conservatives.

A government open to strengthening relations with its largest trading partner, under the sign of continuity.

Because Wellington, described as a friend by

China

, has always maintained much more flexible relations with the Asian giant, favoring its commercial relations over the security concerns of its “Five Eyes” allies, namely the Americans, the Canadians, the British. and the Australians.

It is precisely this breach that Beijing wants to rush into to divide America's allies in Asia.

In Canberra,

Wang Yi

will meet his Australian counterpart later in the week.

The latter, Penny Wong, considers this meeting “ 

strategic

” in the interest of the country.

Despite the numerous disagreements over human rights and Chinese ambitions in the Pacific, the time has now come for renewed cooperation, made possible thanks to the recent easing of trade.

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