China has cautioned individuals in New Zealand against making China a focal point in domestic political debates. This statement follows comments made by New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters during a parliamentary discussion involving an opposition lawmaker of Chinese descent.
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, emphasized that China respects the developmental choices of all nations and stands firmly against any form of discrimination or prejudice. She urged for initiatives that enhance bilateral friendship and mutual respect between the two countries.
The incident has prompted China to take formal action, with its embassy in New Zealand filing official diplomatic representations with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
This diplomatic move underscores the sensitivity of China’s position on international relations and the importance it places on preventing its internal affairs from becoming politicized in other countries.