ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
International relations

Australia-China divide forces New Zealand to 'straddle two worlds'

New foreign minister cuts her teeth as tensions -- and pressure to speak up -- build

HONG KONG -- New Zealand is navigating rocky diplomatic waters as tensions flare between China, the country's biggest trade partner, and Australia, its closest ally. Leading the way will be the island nation's new top diplomat, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta -- a rising political star, an indigenous Maori leader and the first woman to hold the position.

Beijing and Canberra, already locked in a trade dispute, exchanged barbs this month over a Chinese official's tweet of a falsified image, which depicted an Australian soldier holding a knife to an Afghan child's throat.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more