“In 2008 New Zealand First warned the then Labour Government and the National Party, as Labour negotiated the China Free Trade deal, that we would rue the day that our largest exporters became perilously dependent on China.
“It was clear far too much of the economy would be dependent upon one exporter, Fonterra, one product, milk powder and one market, China.
“Two weeks ago Mataura Valley Milk announced it had given China Animal Husbandry Group (CAHB) a 71.8 per cent ownership share in a new $200 million dairy plant to be built near Gore.
“New Zealand First welcomes overseas investment when the controlling interests are held by New Zealanders.
“It is economic lunacy to give over control of our wealth to foreign interests.
“In April the Prime Minister promised to speed up decision making so it would be easier and quicker for Chinese to buy land and assets here – let’s remember China refuses to allow foreign nationals to buy land there.
“Chinese media warned Mr Key that if he raised the issue of the South China Sea while in China, he could risk compromising New Zealand’s trade relationship with China.
“In recent weeks China has not been happy with New Zealand inquiries into a glut of Chinese steel imports flooding the market and ‘threatened retaliatory measures’ against New Zealand trade, warning it will slow the flow of dairy, wool and kiwifruit imports.
“The question you need to ask from all this is: Why is New Zealand surprised?
“Melamine, Chinese steel in our motorways, asbestos trains bouncing off our rail tracks and now a billion dollar threat to New Zealand’s dairy and horticulture industry, were all predictable events except to New Zealand’s political and economic leadership.
“How well New Zealanders must remember the cacophonous cheerleading of the New Zealand China Free Trade ‘industry’ and its derisory response to anyone who dared question the wisdom of what they were doing.
“We are sycophantic in our relationship with China.
“It’s time for Mr Key’s Government to demand China abide by international trade rules.
“It’s time the government told China you are not our master: we will not be bullied around.”
Source: Scoop
Link: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1608/S00106/china-now-our-master.htm