Commentary: For his China trip to succeed, New Zealand PM should avoid talk of territorial disputes

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key's upcoming trip to China should focus more on economic ties and less on the South China Sea issue, which is of no concern for Wellington.

Key's visit comes on the heels of a visit by his Australian counterpart, Malcolm Turnbull, who just wrapped up a two-day visit to China during which 19 agreements were signed.

The consecutive visits by leaders of the Oceanian countries highlight the importance they attach to China's growing middle class, made possible by Beijing's measures to make the national economy more consumer-led and service-driven.

As the first developed country to recognize China as a market economy and to sign a free trade agreement with China, New Zealand has seen its exports to China grow at an annual rate of 33 percent since the FTA was signed in 2008.

Figures show that China has been New Zealand's largest trading partner for years and the largest market for New Zealand goods. Thanks to the ground-breaking deal, two-way trade has more than doubled, approaching 13 billion U.S. dollars in 2015. New Zealand products have become very popular in China today.

An upgrade of the FTA will top Key's China agenda; a new version of the agreement would be in the interest of both countries and boost bilateral ties.

But relations between the two countries haven't been entirely rosy. In February, Key made some remarks against China regarding the South China Sea, likely under the pressure of his country's military ties with the United States. It was a surprising move that went against New Zealand's previous pledges not to take sides in the region's territorial disputes.

What is more baffling is Wellington's successive engagement in war games in the South China Sea. After observing the U.S.-Philippine military exercises that lasted 12 days near the disputed waters, New Zealand will again send its servicemen for a five-nation drill in the region starting on Sunday.

The war game's timetable overlapping the prime minister's week-long China trip no doubt raises suspicions, despite an official claim from Wellington that there's nothing provocative in New Zealand taking part in the military exercises while Key is in China.

Key should be reminded that New Zealand is an absolute outsider in the dispute and not a concerned party, and that any attempt by Wellington to break its promise not to take sides on the issue would risk complicating the flourishing trade ties between China and New Zealand.

Wellington is advised to be more discreet in its words and actions. New Zealand should chart its own course in its relations with China rather than have its agenda hijacked by the ambitions of its military allies. The future of bilateral ties between New Zealand and China, to some extent, depends on Wellington itself. Endi