Cracks Emerge in U.S.-Led Intelligence Pact Over China Approach

  • New Zealand defends not signing joint human-rights statements
  • Concern growing position could undermine alliance’s agenda
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A polite disagreement between Pacific Ocean neighbors on Thursday showed a fissure among U.S. allies over China, underscoring the difficulties Joe Biden faces in forging a common front against Beijing.

New Zealand distanced itself from Australia, a partner in the Five Eyes along with the U.S., U.K. and Canada, over whether the intelligence-sharing pact should admonish China on its human-rights record. The organization dates back to an alliance forged in World War II.