To paraphrase an excerpt from the Aeneid, beware of Chinese bearing gifts. The original quote refers to the Trojan Horse. So, it seems the Chinese are offering up a ‘Chinese Horse‘, in the form of aid, that will let them get a toehold into New Zealand via their “aid”.
The Chinese Ambassador believes China can help New Zealand recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and be more resilient, including through collaboration on the financing and construction of key infrastructure.
In a letter shared on Wednesday evening to Newshub, Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong says China sees “a lot of potential for China and New Zealand to work together”, including on infrastructure development.
China has a history of financing infrastructure projects around the world, particularly through its trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China sees it as a way to strengthen ties between the countries, but critics have argued it’s just a mechanism for China to grow its power or influence globally and put some countries receiving funding into debt traps.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Thursday said he didn’t have details of whether the Chinese have formally offered assistance, but New Zealand would work with others where appropriate.
One area mentioned by Wang is exploring “opportunities to engage in progressive practical collaboration on, ie, the planning, financing and construction of infrastructure in relation to transport, telecommunication, power transmission and flood prevention and control and other areas of mutual interest and benefit”.
“Hopefully, such cooperation can go some way towards the current efforts at recovery in New Zealand and longer-term and broader sustainable development in both countries.”
He said while New Zealand was currently focused on the immediate cleanup and relief following Cyclone Gabrielle, he has noted “discussions have started on some of the longer-term issues”, including the construction of disaster-resilient infrastructure.
Newshub
The Chinese never offer anything unless they can see huge profit, either politically, financially, or strategically, and if they can win on two or more of those things then all the better for them.
As ever, the Chinese are very crafty; they are ready to pounce when any country is suffering on its hands and knees.
Look at their pervasive march through the Pacific, especially in Fiji and Vanuatu. No good comes of availing yourself of Chinese largesse. There are always strings attached.
I can’t wait to see John Key grovelling to the Chinese shortly, promoting this offer. He’s a shill for the CCP as he continues to beg for a board position in a Chinese bank. They’ll roll him out in short order.
This would be an offer best ignored. But is our government smart enough to see through it?
I suspect not.
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