U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in New Zealand on Tuesday. They discussed a number of topics, including maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. That was according to US State Department spokesperson Ned Price.
Price also said that Sherman met with New Zealand Foreign Minister Chris Seed. Both meetings reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting deeper ties and tackling shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Taiwan Strait.
Sherman’s visit comes within the broader context of China’s continued military exercises in the wake of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit last week. Sherman’s trip aims to advance freedom and openness, and counter China’s expanding influence in the region.