The China - New Zealand Relationship with an Indian Twist
Former Times of India journalist, Farheen Hussain, shares insights on Diplosphere's event on China x NZ
A former journalist at the Times of India, Deccan Times, and other outlets, Farheen Hussain recently arrived in New Zealand to study a Masters of Global Business at Victoria University of Wellington. Farheen is also a Diplosphere member.
Distance Makes the Heart Fonder—and the Perspective Wider!
That’s precisely what happened to me after moving to New Zealand.
As an Indian enthusiast of international politics and strategic relations, I thought I had a reasonable grasp of global politics. But experiencing another country's relationship with my homeland's closest neighbour? That’s a whole new perspective.
Recently, I had the absolute privilege of attending Diplosphere’s thought-provoking event, “China's Foreign Policy and the China–New Zealand Relationship.” The keynote speaker, H.E. Dr Wang Xiaolong, Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand, delivered fresh insights on China's foreign policy and its dynamic relationship with New Zealand.
The event, expertly chaired by Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien, Diplosphere’s Co-founder and Executive Director, featured an esteemed panel of speakers: Hon Nathan Guy, Independent Chair of the Meat Industry Association NZ and former Minister for Primary Industries, and Terry Copeland, CEO of Federated Farmers.
For a budding learner of New Zealand’s foreign relations like me, the event was eye-opening. But what truly stood out were Ambassador Wang’s candid and often witty remarks about various countries and their, shall we say, personalities. His straightforward observations about global interests and expectations added depth and intrigue.
India and China: Neighbours with a Love-Hate Dynamic
As someone hailing from India, I couldn’t help but view the discussion through the lens of India-China relations. It’s the classic neighbour dynamic: sometimes they’re best friends, other times they wish the other would relocate to a different continent. Yet, through these ups and downs, both nations manage to find common ground to thrive together.
Here in New Zealand, I have yet to understand the deeper relations between the two nations, but at the outset, I’ve noticed some parallels. Despite the geographical distance, New Zealand’s and India’s foreign relations with China share certain similarities. For instance, China is the largest trade partner for both countries—New Zealand with a two-way trade of NZ$38 billion in 2023, and India with $118.4 billion in 2023-24.
It shows how China is walking the talk and is focusing on building the economic relationships with some of the most important nations in the world.
Ambassador Wang’s Speech: Witty, Insightful, and Direct
Ambassador Wang’s speech was a masterclass in diplomacy with a dash of humour. His light-hearted jab at the Trump administration (“the ones building walls”) and his quip about the Liberal International Order (“like the Holy Roman Empire—neither holy, Roman, nor an empire”) had the audience chuckling while underscoring serious points.
He emphasised cooperation over confrontation, advocating for a multilateral world and free trade amidst the rising tide of protectionism. A particularly striking argument was his take on how U.S. protectionism might harm not just the global order but also American citizens themselves.
Ambassador Wang’s call for collaboration in infrastructure, trade, tourism, and education underscored his commitment to a strong China–New Zealand relationship. His rhetoric had the gravitas of a world leader, envisioning a global stage where nations cooperate rather than retreat behind stringent borders.
The Southern Link Initiative: A Modern Silk Route?
One of the most fascinating topics was the Southern Link Initiative, which positions New Zealand as a strategic conduit between China and South America. Sparked by an important question by Dr Matthew O’Meagher of the Victoria University of Wellington, the topic opened a new arena of geopolitics for me.
I understood, with a little reading that this initiative places New Zealand in a critical role within a global value chain, boosting trade, tourism, and exports.
I realised how the world terms New Zealand to be at the end of the world, but then, it has such a strategic position. Standing in the Pacific, New Zealand is the gateway for the future of important trade routes that will shape the futures of so many nations.
The Closing Punchline
The event concluded with Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien’s poignant question: “How do we make the world great again?” The answer from the panellists: co-operation, communication, and transparency.
And with that, I was left reflecting on how, despite the vast distances between nations, some truths remain universal. Whether neighbours or not, we need co-operation, stability, and bridges—not walls—to create a thriving global community.
Here’s to more bridges, fewer walls, and deeper connections!
Event Survey Results
Diplosphere received a customer satisfaction rating of 4.46/5 from 13 survey responses from this event. Some key take away messages from the event from particpants: China’s ‘no-changes’ or constants; also final words from the panellists — cooperation; communication and transparency; tolerance and respect. Well chosen as a closing exercise. The key theme that seems to underscore the future of NZ's relationship with China is mutual respect and the understanding of cooperation but not interference
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Feeling good does not necessarily mean that the reality will be good, because diplomatic rhetoric and state behavior are often completely opposite.