'Tactful engagement' allows New Zealand, China to move ahead together: former PM

Differences in the political philosophies of New Zealand and China will not prevent the two countries from moving ahead together, according to former New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley.

Shipley made the remarks in an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) that aired on Friday, during which she explained the two phrases she often uses to describe China-New Zealand relations: "tactful engagement" and "a progressive attitude."

"I think tactful engagement means that it's better to be in the room speaking directly to each other and where you can say safely if you don't agree, but you don't offend people. I think if you stand outside the room and use megaphone diplomacy, you get nowhere. It doesn't take you forward," said Shipley.

"To be progressive is to be open. It doesn't mean again that you have to agree on political philosophies. New Zealand's political philosophy and China's political philosophy is very different. But we respect that difference, and it doesn't prevent us from moving ahead together. If we have things we need to say to each other, we do so respectfully. But progression means you don't get caught in behaviors that lead to unintended consequences," said the former prime minister.

She encouraged officials on both sides to embrace this approach for the sake of peaceful development and regional stability in the Pacific.

"Every now and again, things are delicate, but overall New Zealand's prime ministers and foreign ministers and trade ministers, whether it's with China or anyone else, we continue to try and say people want prosperity and they want peace and security. Let's try and progress those issues and be progressive in our attitude, dealing with the things that worry us but not letting them be a barrier for why we shouldn't move forward," she added.

China has been New Zealand's largest trading partner, largest export market and largest source of imports for many consecutive years. Economic and trade cooperation has become the ballast stone and propeller of the bilateral relations.

'Tactful engagement' allows New Zealand, China to move ahead together: former PM

Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez said on Sunday that the country is at a critical stage and must achieve national unity, emphasizing that maintaining internal cohesion is of utmost importance.

In a televised address, Rodriguez called on the public to continue trusting the government under the current highly complex political circumstances.

Her statement comes in the wake of a January 3 military operation conducted by the United States, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and flown out of the country.

The operation resulted in at least 100 fatalities.

Rodriguez, who was sworn in as acting president two days later on January 5, framed her appeal for unity against this backdrop of external intervention.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information Freddy Nanez denounced the U.S. actions as a "war crime of the 21st century" when speaking at an international cultural event on Sunday.

Nanez condemned not only the January 3 airstrikes but also the associated cyber and electromagnetic attacks.

He accused the United States of violating international law through the forced removal of President Maduro and his wife, while attacks on civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, represent a flagrant breach of humanitarian norms.

He reiterated that the stigmatization and military attacks against Venezuela are driven by economic interests, particularly the desire to control its abundant natural resources.

Venezuelan acting president calls for national unity amid complex situation