China New Zealand Photo:VCG

China has noticed that New Zealand recently released its Security Threat Environment 2023 report, and has expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to content that relates to China.

China has always upheld the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, firmly opposes other countries' interference in China's internal affairs and never interferes in others' internal affairs. The label of "interfering in other countries' internal affairs" can by no means be pinned on China, according to remarks by the spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in New Zealand released on Friday.

The Chinese government engages in normal exchanges and interactions with Chinese nationals overseas to protect their life and property safety, and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with international laws such as the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Vienna Conventions on Consular Relations, and laws and regulations of the host countries.

We hope relevant countries can provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese citizens overseas and local Chinese communities to live, work and study, the spokesperson said.

At the moment, China-New Zealand relations have overall maintained a healthy and steady development with the joint efforts of both sides, bringing tremendous benefits to the two countries, particularly the two peoples. This hard-won situation deserves to be cherished.

Mutual trust is the foundation of interactions and cooperation, and it is easier lost than earned. China respects that New Zealand adheres to an independent foreign policy in view of safeguarding its own national interests.

China is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation across the board with New Zealand on the basis of mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences and mutual benefits so as to further enhance our mutual understanding, promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations and better benefit both countries and peoples, according to the spokesperson.

Global Times