Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-should-use-diplomacy-avert-any-conflict-taiwan-strait-pm-2023-09-19/
During a debate ahead of New Zealand’s general election, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins emphasized the importance of using diplomatic methods to prevent armed conflict in the Taiwan Strait if China were to invade Taiwan. Taiwan has become an important figure in IR due to one question; is it a sovereign nation, or is it a part of China? Originally using a more conciliatory approach towards China, New Zealand has recently become more vocal about concerns regarding China’s assertiveness in the Pacific region. Opposition leader Christopher Luxon noted that New Zealand’s foreign policy has remained consistent across different governments and parties, and that the two major parties share the same views when it comes to foreign policy. Both leaders also agreed that discussing hypothetical scenarios between China and Taiwan is not productive. “I don’t think we should talk about hypotheticals like that,” Hipkins said. Recent polls show Luxon’s National Party in the lead for the upcoming election, which would put them on track to winning the October 14th election.
The article highlights the growing significance of New Zealand’s stance on the Taiwan Strait issue in the context of its evolving relationship with China. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ assertion that New Zealand should use diplomacy to prevent armed conflict in the Taiwan Strait signals a departure from the country’s historically conciliatory approach towards China, although it is still an excellent approach to this issue. This shift in approaches reflects growing concerns, not only in New Zealand but also in the wider Pacific region regarding China’s assertiveness. New Zealand’s alignment with its Five Eyes security partners and its vocalization of concerns about China’s actions in the Pacific could impact regional dynamics and potentially influence other nations to take a firmer stance on the Taiwan issue, especially their neighboring nation with more power, Australia. In the long run, this shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy could have lasting impacts on regional geopolitics and may contribute to shaping a more assertive stance from other nations in the region when it comes to the Taiwan Strait and China’s actions in the Pacific.
In class we have talked about how nations must be able to use diplomacy in times of crisis, and with China and Taiwan, this is no exception, as this has been an ongoing issue for several years now. Other countries, such as New Zealand, are being involved in these affairs, and it is not fair for them as this becomes their responsibility. The many nations involved in this conflict must find a solution in order to prevent future issues or conflicts from arising. Also, because of Taiwan’s status as a Non-recognized state, it can be very hard for countries in the international community to want to take their side in times of crisis.