New Zealand says ‘seriously concerned’ by China’s increased Pacific security presence

“China has a long-standing presence in the Pacific, but we are seriously concerned by increased engagement in Pacific security sectors,” Peters said in a speech to the New Zealand China Council on Friday in Wellington. “We do not want to see developments that destabilise the institutions and arrangements that have long underpinned our region’s security.”

Peters acknowledged China as a “vital economic partner” and noted the rebound in Chinese tourists and students to New Zealand now under way. But he said New Zealand will continue to share its concerns with China.

“Sometimes we do this in private, but there are also times when we communicate openly with the public and the international community about our concerns,” he said. “This is an important part of our commitment to speaking openly and transparently about the foreign policy issues and challenges that affect New Zealanders.”

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Human rights was one such issue, he said. Cyberattacks and interference efforts intended to influence, disrupt, or subvert New Zealand’s national interests was another.

“These are deeply concerning and completely unacceptable,” Peters said. “We remain vigilant to all such threats.”

“With great power comes great responsibility, so we think that China has a responsibility to play a constructive role to address international security challenges, encourage de-escalation, and ease tensions, such as in ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas,” he said. “Now, we believe, is a time where China leadership and diplomacy would materially help to ease global tensions.”

Peters said New Zealand will continue to align and work with partners where this helps