The latest from Epoch Times on December 4, 2024 — New Zealand’s top military leader stated that the continuous expansion of the Chinese Communist Party’s presence in the South Pacific is causing concern and warned that the New Zealand armed forces need to be prepared for any potential circumstances.
Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force (CDF) Tony Davies informed a parliamentary committee in Wellington on Tuesday, December 3rd, “I have never seen the world or the region in this kind of state, which worries me. There are times when we need to be prepared to make decisions that may require our sailors, soldiers, and pilots to face danger to protect our interests,” Davies said.
The announcement that the Solomon Islands had signed a security agreement with the Chinese Communist Party in early 2022 shocked New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. New Zealand is deepening its relations with Western countries, a move that could increase the risk of confrontation with Beijing.
“We have seen a significant increase in China’s presence in the Pacific and the Southwest Pacific regions,” Davies stated.
Recently, China dispatched the 055 large destroyer “Xianyang” and the 052D destroyer “Nanning” to Vanuatu in the Pacific for resupply. In July, a Chinese destroyer participated in Tonga’s naval anniversary celebrations. In October, China conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile test, with the missile landing near French Polynesia.
Davies remarked, “The situation is heating up with the challenges faced by the world and our Indo-Pacific region.”
“This concerns me, and it should concern me. Except for sleeping hours, I am busy all day ensuring that we are prepared,” he added.
The New Zealand government plans to increase defense spending, replace outdated equipment, and deepen relations with traditional strategic partners who hope New Zealand will take action.
Currently, New Zealand’s defense budget accounts for only about 1% of the GDP, but officials suggest it needs to be raised to 2%.
Defense Minister and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defense, Brook Barrington, informed the committee that New Zealand’s strategic position is “deteriorating rapidly.”
“Hotspots are becoming increasingly dangerous, with some of these hotspots right in our own hemisphere,” he added.
(This information is based on reports from Bloomberg.)