The comments came from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, who told a news conference in Beijing that New Zealand's stance was a violation of the "one China'" policy, which he said is the political foundation of our bilateral relationship.
"We express our strong dissatisfaction with the statements and resolutely oppose it, and we have already made stern representations with New Zealand," Zhao said.
"China urges New Zealand to strictly abide by the 'one China' principle and immediately stop making wrong statements on Taiwan, to avoid damaging our bilateral relationship."
Expressing a "personal position" last week, Peters told reporters: "In the interests on international health you want every country in an international organisation designed to improve the world's health. It's just logic."
The Chinese Embassy was highly critical of Peters' personal opinion, saying in a statement: "There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China".
"We hope New Zealand will continue to abide by this principle, properly handle issues related to Taiwan and uphold the sound development of China-NZ relations with concrete actions."
Asked about the comments, Peters then urged the ambassador to "listen to your master", saying that this is not the message that China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, was sending – "[he] assured me that China does not behave that way".
Peters later confirmed it was the Government's position to allow Taiwan a seat at the table.
"They have got something to teach the rest of the world – every country, including China, must surely want to know the secret of their success.
"They are a ... world success story on Covid-19. They have less than 450 cases and have had four deaths and the population around the same size as Australia."
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Comments
The velvet gloves are coming off.
All of China's major trading countries need to appreciate Taiwan's global contribution by supporting them not only with WHO but also the UN.
Hong Kong has also had enough of the CCP.
This is the time for the world to stand up to CCP bullying tactics.
If the CCP wants to retract China back into a hermit state, then so be it.
They will need a permanent reminder of how they behaved and that we have not forgotten.
It's not often I agree with you two but this is one issue that unites us. China has long used it's growing military and economic strength to bully and corrupt nations by a series of threats and covert operations. That and it's attempts to gain political influence by the paying useful idiots in positions of authority to do it's bidding both here and worldwide. At last we are seeing some resistance being developed at cabinet level and are joining the Australian an other governments in the region in recognising China as the threat they are to our democracy and way of life.
China is in no position to start bullying anyone on this planet at all considering where the coronavirus came from, whether it was deliberate or not. I for one am sick of their arrogance assuming they are better and more powerful than every other country. If anything they should be taking a far more humble position and even offering to help world economies get back on their feet. Unfortunately that is the last thing they will consider. I can't do anything about that but I can avoid buying chinese goods wherever possible. Actually I am now a big supporter of local businesses, afterall, we need to look after our own.
It is worth remembering the USA’s historic and continual bullying of Cuba. The USA (who has started and run more corrupt and covert wars in history than any other nation) bullies Cuba into submission because they do not want a strong military presence on their doorstep. Likewise China does not want Taiwan (or Tibet for that matter) being under hostile alien control. I do not see China as a shining example of human rights BUT NEITHER IS THE WEST. China is one of the oldest civilisations in the world wrestling with developing their standard of living. The last thing they need is Trump’s clowns dictating to them. I am not saying I support One China. I am just saying we should consider both sides of the argument ... and not discount China’s desire for peace.
'Urging ' NZ, or threatening it? Same here in Canada, where trudeau immediately groveled to China.
At least the Americans are luckier, they have Trump.