Scott Morrison and Jacinda Ardern meet to discuss China, deportation and trade
China’s attempts to drive a wedge between Australia and New Zealand have been rejected in a united stand ending months of destabilisation.
National
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China’s attempts to drive a wedge between Australia and New Zealand have been rejected in a united stand ending months of destabilisation that sparked fears our close ally had softened its stance on Beijing.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern in Queenstown on Monday where the pair clashed over the deportation of criminals but made progress on issues of regional security, support for the Pacific and boosting trade.
Chinese state media had issued a warning to New Zealand not to follow in Australia’s footsteps ahead of the meeting, but Mr Morrison said the close trans-Tasman partnership could not be broken.
“There will be those far from here who would seek to divide us, and they will not succeed,” he said.
“I have no doubt there will be those who seek to undermine Australia and New Zealand’s security, by seeking to create points of difference which are not there.”
Ms Ardern said she completely rejected suggestions New Zealand was “not taking a strong stance” on Beijing.
“(I) strongly … refute the assertion that we are doing anything other than maintaining a very principled position on human rights issues (and) on trade issues as they relate to China,” she said.
Both countries raised concerns about the Chinese Government’s militarisation of the South China Sea and moves to undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy.
They also backed the US calls for a further comprehensive investigation into the origins of Covid-19, which was described by Mr Morrison as a necessity for “public health” and not about “global politics”.
“This has nothing to do with anything other than ensuring … that we understand how this (pandemic) occurred, so we can do everything we possibly can to ensure that that does not happen again,” he said.
Kiwis will also be able to apply Australian citizenship within three years of living in the country instead of four, under changes agreed at the meeting that will come into effect on July 1.
Ms Ardern reiterated her opposition to Australia’s practice of deporting New Zealand criminals even if they had grown up in Australia, but Mr Morrison remained firmly in favour of the system.
In a statement following the formal meeting the two prime ministers agreed to “write the reopening rule book together” as Covid is brought under control globally, and indicated a particular interest in expanding the quarantine-free travel bubble to other Pacific nations.
“Australia and New Zealand share an enthusiasm for, where it is safe to do, exploring additional options for expanding the trans-Tasman bubble, however we both acknowledge that we want to maintain the freedoms we have,” Ms Ardern said.
During the trip Mr Morrison’s wife Jenny Morrison and Ms Ardern’s partner Clarke Gaynor visited a local primary school where they were welcomed with a stirring rendition of the haka.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to get a taste of New Zealand’s beautiful Maori culture,” Ms Morrison said.
“I was very impressed with the boys and girls and I was honoured to be welcomed with a haka.”
Earlier in the day the leaders took part in a wreath laying ceremony at a war memorial near Queenstown to commemorate the Anzacs.
“Neither of us would ever trade our sovereignty or trade values,” Mr Morrison said.
“We have stood by, side-by-side to defend and protect and promote these values, not just on the beaches of Gallipoli, but in Afghanistan, and in so many other places around the world.”
The leaders also exchanged soccer jerseys to commemorate Australia and New Zealand’s successful bid to co-host the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Originally published as Scott Morrison and Jacinda Ardern meet to discuss China, deportation and trade
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