To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail: Chinese embassy on NZ security intel’s claims

In response to reporters' inquiries about comments made by the head of New Zealand's Security Intelligence Service, who claimed that China links economic and security cooperation in the Pacific region to create competitive regional architectures and expressed concerns over potential security risks in China's engagement with the Cook Islands, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand said on Thursday that this is a typical case of judging others' intentions by one's own standards. The embassy said that these claims are completely groundless and false formation.

"To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail," said the embassy.

The embassy urged all relevant parties to avoid viewing China through a Cold War mentality and zero-sum mindset, refrain from abusing the concept of security, and stop politicizing irrelevant issues. 

China has always upheld the "four full respects" policy for their sovereignty and independence, will, cultural traditions and efforts to seek strength through unity when forging ties with Pacific island countries, said the embassy. 

China-Cook Islands relations are mutually beneficial and characterized by transparency, openness and inclusiveness, with no secret agenda. China's assistance to Pacific Island nations comes with no political strings attached, imposes no demands on others and makes no empty promises.

All relevant cooperation documents have been made fully public, focusing entirely on economic collaboration and the improvement of people's livelihoods, with the aim of supporting the Cook Islands in achieving sustainable development. 

Normal cooperation and exchanges between China and the Cook Islands are targeted at no third party, exclude no third party, and should not be subject to interference or constraints from any third party. China stands ready to engage in more trilateral or multilateral cooperation with all parties in the region, including New Zealand, on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and full respect for the will of the countries involved, to jointly benefit the people of the region, according to the embassy.