A new map has exposed a near-perfect split between East and West when it comes to those willing to criticise China over its implementation of strict new security laws for Hong Kong.
New Zealand was one of a swathe of countries to denounce the contentious legislation, which critics say silences dissenters and undermines the 'one country, two systems' framework China agreed to when the UK handed Hong Kong over to them in 1997.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters' expression of "deep disappointment" at the new national security law matched similar statements by the likes of Australia, Canada and the UK last week.
But a map produced by news website Axios shows New Zealand is in the minority, with nearly twice as many countries in support of China's new legislation than against it.
The 80 countries represented on the map are those that voted on the law at the 44th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland last Tuesday (local time) - 53 voted in favour, while 27 were against.
But what wasn't immediately clear was the split of the votes.
The map shows those critical of China's legal maneuvering is heavily focused in Europe, North America and Australasia - the traditional West. All 27 countries are considered 'free' under Freedom House's annual Freedom in the World report.
In contrast, China's supporters are based mainly in Africa, the Middle East, South-East Asia and Central America. Just three of these countries are considered free by Freedom House, with the vast majority considered 'not free' or 'partially free' in the global ratings.
In addition, many of the countries who backed China at the UNHRC stand to gain from foreign aid - particularly those in East Africa - or from its ambitious multinational infrastructure project the Belt and Road Initiative, due for completion in 2049.
Sharing the map on his Twitter account, British historian Timothy Garton Ash described it as "[very] revealing" and said it exposes the "political geography of [the] new Cold War".
The US didn't vote as it has withdrawn from the UNHRC, but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said China had violated the commitments it made to the Hong Kong people, and said the territory was on course to "become just another Communist-run city".
In denouncing the law last week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said autonomy had been fundamental to Hong Kong's growth since 1997, and should be protected.
"New Zealand has consistently emphasised its serious concern about the imposition of this legislation on Hong Kong without inclusive consultation or the proper involvement of all of Hong Kong's institutions," Peters said last Wednesday.
"We share the international community's stake in preserving the high degree of autonomy and freedom available to Hong Kong and its people under the 'one country, two systems' framework."
In response to Peters, the Chinese Embassy advised New Zealand to "stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs".
