New Zealand backs Australia on China trade, human rights, Jacinda Ardern says

Jacinda Ardern has moved to close the gap between New Zealand and Australia on China policy.

Jacinda Ardern has moved to close the gap between New Zealand and Australia on China policy, declaring the trans-Tasman allies are united on the need to tackle “harmful economic coercion”, and expressing “deep concern” over Beijing’s human rights abuses.

After months of strained relations over China, the New Zealand Prime Minister pushed back against the perception her government was taking a soft line on Beijing, as Scott Morrison lashed efforts by “those far from here who would seek to divide us”.

The two leaders emerged from two hours of bilateral talks in Queenstown, on New Zealand’s South Island, with a 10-page joint statement highlighting their close co-operation on everything from Covid to climate change and Indo-Pacific security.

Jacinda Ardern and Scott Morrison hold women's soccer guernseys — to highlight the Women's FIFA World Cup 2023 to be hosted by Australia and New Zealand — in Queenstown on Monday. Picture: Calum Robertson

Ms Ardern refuted suggestions that New Zealand had pursued a different policy to Australia on trade or human rights issues “as they relate to China”, and declared the country remained “very committed” to the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network.

“At no point in our discussions today did I detect any difference in our relative positions on the importance of maintaining a very strong and principled perspective on issues around trade, on issues around human rights,” she said.

However, their talks followed clear divisions over New Zealand’s reluctance to use the Five Eyes grouping to call out bad behaviour by China, and its suggestions that Australia should be more respectful in its dealings with Beijing.

Ahead of the meeting, Chinese tabloid The Global Times praised the Ardern administration for its “political wisdom and sobriety”, and its “more peaceful and friendly” stance towards China.

But Mr Morrison, who concluded a two-day visit to New Zealand on Monday, said attempts to divide the Anzac allies “will not succeed”.

He said both countries were trading nations, “but neither of us would ever trade our sovereignty or our trade our values”.

“I have no doubt there would be those who would seek to undermine Australia and New Zealand’s security by seeking to create points of difference which are not there,” the Prime Minister said.

“We have stood side-by-side to defend and protect and promote these values, not just on the beaches of Gallipoli but in Afghanistan and so many other places around the world.”

Ms Ardern said New Zealand’s commitment to the Five Eyes alliance was “not in doubt”, despite the country’s resistance to its expanded remit beyond intelligence sharing. She also rejected suggestions her country relied too heavily on Australia for its security.

“In my very strong view we carry responsibility for ourselves to ensure adequate investment in our defence forces, and equally that we carry our weight as a member of the intelligence and security community.

“Having said that, we have always operated at a regional level where we support one another.”

Monday’s talks followed New Zealand’s announcement that it would become a party to Australia’s World Trade Organisation dispute with China over its punitive 80 per cent barley tariffs on Australian imports.

In their joint statement, Mr Morrison and Ms Ardern said the relationship between the countries was “unique in its closeness”, and confirmed New Zealanders would have a faster pathway to Australian citizenship.

From July 1, New Zealanders on skilled permanent residents’ visas can apply for Australian citizenship after three years – down from four – if they meet the required income threshold.

The leaders also agreed on the importance of “ambitious and practical action” to cut carbon emissions, with a goal of limiting temperature rises to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. And they flagged the potential to increase the trans-Tasman travel bubble to include other Pacific countries such as Fiji and Vanuatu. But they warned of the need to be cautious to protect the two countries’ Covid-safe status.

They also pledged to work together on technological solutions to verify travellers’ vaccination status, vowing to “write the reopening rule book together”.

In a clear reference to China, which has slapped punitive tariffs on more than $20bn of Australian exports, the leaders “expressed concern over harmful economic coercion and agreed to work with partners to tackle security and economic challenges”.

They also pledged to work together with Indo-Pacific partners “to uphold sovereignty in an era of increasing strategic competition”.

New Zealand had earlier sought to distance the country from Australia’s harder stance on Beijing, with Trade Minister Damien O’Connor declaring in January that Australia should “show respect” and be more “cautious with wording” when criticising China.