Military Space News
WATER WORLD
China's Xi tells NZ's Luxon 'no conflicts of interest'
China's Xi tells NZ's Luxon 'no conflicts of interest'
by AFP Staff Writers
Beijing (AFP) June 20, 2025

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that Beijing had "no fundamental conflicts of interest" with New Zealand, as he welcomed Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on an official visit.

Luxon's trip comes at a time of tension with New Zealand's close partner the Cook Islands over its ties with Beijing.

The self-governing Pacific island nation has a "free association" agreement with its former colonial ruler, which provides budgetary assistance and support on foreign affairs and defence.

But the Cook Islands upset Wellington in February when it signed a string of strategic deals with China on deep-sea mining, regional cooperation and economic issues.

Xi told Luxon on Friday that ties with New Zealand had "long been at the forefront of China's relations with Western developed nations", according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

"There are no historical grievances or fundamental conflicts of interest between China and New Zealand," the news agency reported Xi as saying.

The Chinese leader added that the two countries should "tap potential for cooperation in areas such as scientific and technological innovation, climate change response, and infrastructure".

They should also "strengthen education, culture, youth, people-to-people and local exchanges, and enrich the connotations of bilateral relations", Xi said.

"We should respect each other, seek common ground while putting aside differences, and correctly view and handle the differences and disagreements between the two countries," he said.

Cook Islands PM decries New Zealand's 'patronising' aid pause
Wellington (AFP) June 20, 2025 - Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on Friday condemned "patronising" neighbour New Zealand, which halted aid to the Pacific island nation after it signed a slew of deals with China.

Major partner New Zealand has halted millions of dollars in aid to Cook Islands, citing a "lack of consultation" over agreements struck with China in February.

Self-governing Cook Islands has a "free association" pact with New Zealand, its former colonial ruler which provides budgetary assistance as well as help on foreign affairs and defence.

"The relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand is defined by partnership, not paternalism," Brown said in a speech to parliament.

"Decisions to unilaterally pause core sector support reflect a patronising approach inconsistent with modern partnership."

Brown defended his nation's ties with China, saying they did not "compromise" its independence, adding that no military or defence arrangements had been made.

"No debt commitments, no erosion of our national sovereignty," he told parliament.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited Beijing on Friday, where he was welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"There are no historical grievances or fundamental conflicts of interest between China and New Zealand," Xi told Luxon, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

The readout did not directly mention Beijing's relationship with the Cook Islands or Wellington's spat with its former colony.

Luxon meanwhile reaffirmed in a statement New Zealand's interest in the "peace, security and prosperity of the Pacific".

- 'Repair and restore trust' -

The Cook Islands caught New Zealand off guard when it signed a string of agreements with China covering deep-sea mining, regional cooperation and economic issues.

A New Zealand government spokesperson said aid had been paused because of a "lack of consultation" surrounding the agreements.

New Zealand provided US$116 million (NZ$194 million) to Cook Islands over the past three years, according to government figures.

It was due to make an US$11 million development payment in the coming months and would not consider resuming funding until the Cook Islands government took steps to "repair the relationship and restore trust", the spokesperson added.

China and the Cook Islands have both pushed back, with Beijing's foreign ministry saying Thursday that the deals "should not be interfered with".

Brown added that the nation had been "open and transparent".

China has looked to boost diplomatic, economic and security ties with Pacific Island nations in recent years, sowing unease among traditional regional powers the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Related Links
Water News - Science, Technology and Politics

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
WATER WORLD
New Zealand halts aid to Cook Islands over China deals
Wellington (AFP) June 19, 2025
New Zealand's government halted aid to close partner the Cook Islands on Thursday because of a row over agreements the Pacific island nation struck with China. New Zealand paused the payments and would not resume them until the Cook Islands took "concrete steps" to restore trust, a spokesman for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement. The self-governing Cook Islands, a country of 17,000 people, has a "free association" relationship with its former colonial ruler New Zealand, which p ... read more

WATER WORLD
Trump's Golden Dome rethinks defense against long-range threats

York preps first Dragoon Mission for Missile Warning and Warfighter Connectivity constellation

NATO chief urges 400-percent rise in alliance's air defence

Israel army says intercepts Yemen missile after air raid sirens sound

WATER WORLD
Israeli hospital, Tel Aviv area struck by Iranian missiles: officials

Iran says 'main target' of attack that hit Israel hospital was military site

Iran says hypersonic missiles fired at Israel as Trump demands 'unconditional surrender'

Iran hits Tel Aviv after overnight Israeli strikes on Tehran

WATER WORLD
Two Iranian drones shot down in Iraq by international coalition: officials

Jordan says intercepted drones, missiles in its airspace

AI-enabled control system helps autonomous drones stay on target in uncertain environments

Russia says killed man attempting drone attack on military site

WATER WORLD
Skynet 6A military satellite advances with successful module integration

Skynet 6A reaches integration milestone as Airbus prepares next-gen military satellite

Enveil Secures DIU Contract to Advance Hybrid Space Architecture Data Capabilities

Retired four-star US admiral convicted on corruption charges

WATER WORLD
Finnish MPs approve withdrawal from anti-mine treaty

Use of US bunker-buster bomb looms over Iran conflict

B61-13 gravity bomb reaches first production milestone ahead of projected timeline

NATO learns as Ukraine's 'creativity' changes battlefield

WATER WORLD
Israel vows court fight as France walls off displays at Paris Air Show

Chile's defense policy shift carries high costs

As NATO ups defence spending, can Europe produce the weapons?

Hegseth defends $961.6B Defense Department budget request

WATER WORLD
Dalai Lama to issue July 2 message, expected to address succession

Putin, Xi 'strongly condemn' Israeli strikes on Iran, urge diplomatic solution

Iran strikes Israel as Trump weighs US involvement

Kallas says Russia doesn't 'stand a chance' if NATO sticks 'together'; Putin says rearmament not a 'threat'

WATER WORLD
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.