Chinese President Xi Jinping and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shake hands before the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China April 1, 2019. © Kenzaburo Fukuhara / KYODONEWS / Pool via REUTERS
* NZ's foreign minister said Wellington 'uncomfortable' with pressuring Beijing
* Five Eyes alliance last year started issuing statements condemning China
* NZ had agreed to 'advance their shared values of democracy, freedom, respect'
* China claims Five Eyes is ganging up on it over rights abuses which it denies
* The prospect of New Zealand being expelled from the Five Eyes network was raised by a former CIA China expert in 2018 speaking before a committee
New Zealand has said it will no longer confront China over human rights as part of the 'Five Eyes' intelligence network, reversing an earlier commitment to its allies.
Foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta said New Zealand was 'uncomfortable' with pressuring Beijing and wanted to pursue its own relationship with its largest trading partner.
The intelligence sharing alliance, formalised during the Cold War, last year began issuing statements condemning China's human rights record.
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WNU Editor: It looks like New Zealand is now pulling back on its earlier comments .... New Zealand throws support behind Five Eyes spy network 24 hours after raising concerns about increasing its remit (RT).
More News On New Zealand Will No Longer Confront China Over Human Rights As Part Of The 'Five Eyes' Intelligence Network
New Zealand backs "Five Eyes" alliance, but wants human rights raised in broader group -- Reuters
New Zealand 'uncomfortable with expanding the remit' of Five Eyes, says Foreign Minister -- ABC News (Australia)
New Zealand 'uncomfortable' with expanding intelligence alliance when it comes to China: report -- The Hill
New Zealand Opposes Five Eyes Group Criticizing China's Policies -- Bloomberg
New Zealand ‘uncomfortable’ with growing Five Eyes beyond intelligence -- SCMP
New Zealand ‘uncomfortable’ with expanding Five Eyes’ remit, says foreign minister -- The Guardian
New Zealand says it will set China policy, not US-led Five Eyes -- Al Jazeera
