NZ foreign minister concerned about Pacific indebtedness to China Featured
New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta
19 April, 2021. New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister has expressed her concern over the potential indebtedness of Pacific nations to China.
Nanaia Mahuta gave a key note speech at a meeting of the New Zealand China Council in Wellington this morning.
On New Zealand's Pacific Reset policy, Mahuta said economic vulnerability was a major risk to the future of the region.
"China can play a role in the long-term economic recovery and resilience of the region," she said.
"But there is a substantial difference between financing loans and contributing to greater ODA (official development assistance) investment in particular to the Pacific."
Mahuta said there must be a more sustainable Pacific, which respects sovereignties and builds on their own capabilities.
- RNZI
