N.Z. Opposes Seat For China In U.N.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31169, 20 September 1966, Page 1

N.Z. Opposes Seat For China In U.N.

(From Our Own Reporter > WELLINGTON, September 19. New Zealand delegates to the General Assembly of the United Nations will continue to oppose any move to expel Nationalist China and seat Communist China.

This is expected to be a main issue at the 21st session of the General Assembly, which will begin tomorrow.

Rumours that the Government plans to recognise Communist China diplomatically for reasons of trade have been discounted. It had also been suggested that the Peking regime would succeed this year in its efforts to win the seat occupied by Chiang Kai-shek’s Formosan regime. The New Zealand delegation will be led by the permanent representative to the United Nations (Mr F. H. Corner). Other members are the Assistant Secretary of External Affairs (Mr B. D. Zohrab), the deputy permanent representative (Mr J. G. McArthur), and Mr R. M. Mullins, of the External Affairs Department. The Government believes that the Communist Chinese hopes are waning and that Mao Tse-tung’s chances of having a delegation seated have greatly diminished over the last 12 months. Last year a resolution calling on the General Assembly to recognise the People’s Republic of China and expel the Chiang Kai-shek group was tied in the voting, with 20 abstentions. The resolution, moved by Albania, quot-

ed a decision by non-aligned countries made at Cairo in October, 1964. Neither Communist nor Nationalist Chinese groups will accept the proposal that the best solution would be for United Nations to admit the existence of two Chinas. Although many countries believe this would be the best interim solution, it cannot be adopted while the two principals decline to accept it. Fifty-seven countries recognise Nationalist China, 48 have diplomatic relations with Communist China, three recognise Communist China but have not established diplomatic relations, and 18 have diplomatic relations with neither.

No Communist. countries recognise Chiang Kai-shek’s regime, but many non-Commu-nis; countries, including Britain, recognise Communist China while refusing to recognise Nationalist China. South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Ceylon and Nepal, also take this line. Singapore and Malaysia recognise neither.

Canada, South Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, the

Philippines and Thailand recognise Nationalist China but not the Peking regime. Black African countries are about even in their recognition. Nigeria recognises both but has diplomatic relations with neither. TWO-THIRDS

On General Assembly rules, the change of representation of China is adjudged an important question—which means that to be adopted, any proposal on this subject must have a two-thirds majority. New Zealand foreign affairs experts believe this to be impossible.

The Government, although welcoming negotiations with Communist China, believes that a si nple move to reject Nationalist China and bring Communist China *> the United Nations would not solve any problems. Twelve years ago, on July 6, 1954, the then Minister of External Affairs. Mr T. C. Webb (later Sir Clifton Webb) said- during an external affairs debate in Parliament: “I find it hard to deny Communist China’s right to be admitted to the United Nations Organisation.” This view met with considerable approval—but it was apparent that it was made without Cabinet support or External Affairs Department backing.