Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy coincidence that the visit is taking place during the tenth anniversary year of the signing of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and New Zealand.
With America’s record of starting wars and being unable to advance to victory only to pull out leaving a trail of destruction behind them is not a flattering way to enhance newcomers to the alliance. New Zealand would be wise to distance themselves from being under the wing of “Uncle Sam” only to be dragged into unwarranted & unnecessary conflict that would be of no advantage to New Zealand whatsoever.
Unlike naive American Imperialism with its bluster and chest beating, China's Imperialism is insidious and creeping. You don't know it until your trapped - as many African countries are finding out. One trouble with American Imperialism is they believe that everyone want democracy and wants to be just like them. The trouble with the Chinese is they don't care as long as they can exploit you! Two sides of the coin. For New Zealand it is imperative that we ensure that Chinese influence in the South Pacific is controlled. No one wants war with China but as she builds her arsenal the only thing she will understand, and respect, is strength. It is uncharacteristic of the Chinese to fight an overt war. It is characteristic that they will undermine any country they can for their own advantage. New Zealand's only chance of independence is within the Aukus on a purely defensive arrangement. We need a bloc to secure the South Pacific, and that includes the Pacific Islands too. Clarke and Brash are naive to believe that just because we sell milk and meat to China that they won't take advantage of us.
Your comment regarding getting trapped appears ideological belief rather than evidence based. Can you identify which African countries feel trapped and why?
Djibouti for one, Congo, Mali and other places that are resource rich. Sri Lanka is finding that they are in the Chinese clutches. Having lived in China and worked there I'm quite familiar with the way they think and operate. We, in the west, are used to openness and a bluntness that the Chinese find rude. They are far more subtle. Not for nothing were they always known for being inscrutable - it is a trait, as is their fear of "losing face". They find us coarse and unsophisticated. As in any contest it is important to know your adversary - and sometimes that means being uncomfortably honest (and not very PC!)
With America’s record of starting wars and being unable to advance to victory only to pull out leaving a trail of destruction behind them is not a flattering way to enhance newcomers to the alliance. New Zealand would be wise to distance themselves from being under the wing of “Uncle Sam” only to be dragged into unwarranted & unnecessary conflict that would be of no advantage to New Zealand whatsoever.
Unlike naive American Imperialism with its bluster and chest beating, China's Imperialism is insidious and creeping. You don't know it until your trapped - as many African countries are finding out. One trouble with American Imperialism is they believe that everyone want democracy and wants to be just like them. The trouble with the Chinese is they don't care as long as they can exploit you! Two sides of the coin. For New Zealand it is imperative that we ensure that Chinese influence in the South Pacific is controlled. No one wants war with China but as she builds her arsenal the only thing she will understand, and respect, is strength. It is uncharacteristic of the Chinese to fight an overt war. It is characteristic that they will undermine any country they can for their own advantage. New Zealand's only chance of independence is within the Aukus on a purely defensive arrangement. We need a bloc to secure the South Pacific, and that includes the Pacific Islands too. Clarke and Brash are naive to believe that just because we sell milk and meat to China that they won't take advantage of us.
Your comment regarding getting trapped appears ideological belief rather than evidence based. Can you identify which African countries feel trapped and why?
Djibouti for one, Congo, Mali and other places that are resource rich. Sri Lanka is finding that they are in the Chinese clutches. Having lived in China and worked there I'm quite familiar with the way they think and operate. We, in the west, are used to openness and a bluntness that the Chinese find rude. They are far more subtle. Not for nothing were they always known for being inscrutable - it is a trait, as is their fear of "losing face". They find us coarse and unsophisticated. As in any contest it is important to know your adversary - and sometimes that means being uncomfortably honest (and not very PC!)