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NZCFS is a non-political organisation. Our key objective is to promote understanding of China, and to encourage friendship and exchange between our two people. When there is reporting that detracts from an impartial understanding of what China is, and stands for, we need to provide some counterbalance.

The recent forum delivered by Auckland branch, reported here https://nzchinasociety.org.nz/?p=33557 , was a very good platform to discuss and deliver a more impartial appreciation of some of these issues.

Here is a link to a recent article that reflects the feeling of the meeting around how New Zealand should respond in the current trade war.

No need for New Zealand to take sides in US-China trade war

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12078223

27 Jun, 2018 5:00am

The forum also discussed whether New Zealand should collaborate or compete with China in development aid in the Pacific. Recently the Chinese contribution to aid in the Pacific region has received a lot of negative publicity. Here are two reports that give a balanced perspective.

Firstly, an RNZ report “China’s Pacific aid dominance overstated” gives the real figures. Australia and New Zealand remain the major aid donors. Much of China’s aid is in the form of loans, which can place the small island nations in jeopardy of being unable to repay. However, the level is below that of loans World Bank and Asia development Bank.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/363690/china-s-pacific-aid-dominance-overstated

Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama Guangdong Provincial Party Secretary, Mr Hu Chunhua

 

Secondly, a paper Working with China in the Pacific, co-authored by Dr Anna Powle, a Senior Lecturer in Security Studies with the Centre for Defence and Security Studies and a member of the Pacific Research and Policy Centre at Massey University, New Zealand, can be found here. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/working-china-pacific Dr Powles specialises in regional security in the Pacific, New Zealand foreign policy and security relations with the Pacific, private security, peacekeeping, and women, peace and security.