The release of a new defense strategy paper by New Zealand, marking a shift towards greater coordination with the US and Australia on security issues, prompted a stern response from Beijing on Monday.
While Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have made efforts to steer clear of criticizing China by name when discussing territory disputes in the South China Sea, the new defense statement does so explicitly.
In addition to China, the paper also singles out Russia as representing a threat to the international community, according to a report in New Zealand news website Stuff.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in response to the statement that China “urges New Zealand to correctly view the relevant issues, correct its wrong words and actions, and do more things that are beneficial to the mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries.”
“China’s construction on its own territory in the South China Sea is completely appropriate and legal,” Hua added. “No one has a right to thoughtlessly levy criticisms.”
Meanwhile, it was reported this week that New Zealand announced a US$1.6 billion purchase of US-made maritime patrol aircraft. The deal includes four Boeing P-8A Poseidon planes, which are used to conduct anti-submarine warfare as well as in intelligence gathering.
The purchase “strengthens the coalition Government’s Pacific Reset by providing a maritime patrol capability with the significant range and endurance needed to assist our partners in the region,” a statement from New Zealand Defense Minister Ron Mark said, per CNN.
Foreign Minister Peters disregarded China’s response to the shift in defense strategy, saying at a news conference announcing the aircraft deal that “we’re not here to make people happy. We’re here to be responsible international citizens doing our best to preserve the neighborhood in which we live and to preserve our sovereignty.”
China’s Global Times pushed back on what it called a misguided and counterproductive policy pattern led by Washington, saying that China’s role is welcomed by most in the region.
“China’s role in the South Pacific is actually welcomed by a majority of countries there. China has emerged as a major donor in the South Pacific, including in Forum countries Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, instilling momentum to the region’s development. China provided $1.8 billion in aid and loans to South Pacific nations between 2006 and 2016, according to media reports,” the state-owned news outlet wrote.
Wow. These Chinese have so much time on their hands. Writing such big comments and trying to stress they are peaceful? Really?
China is the worst case of a police state where most citizens are deprived of fair access to the internet. Let alone anything else. And THEY tutor others about fairness and freedom? Now that’s a contradiction right there.
A small note to the Chinese here – the world sees you with suspicion and hates you. Wake up!!!!
But US more far away than China LOL
China is an highily unstable , terrorist & wicked country and need to be checked in time otherwise it will jeopardize international security.
Ivor Large douches bag
Jayesh who wants to start a war other then the ugly Americans? USA is a symbol of terorrist nationof the PEOPLEKIND.
Authoritarian Chinese can’t question the legitimate decisions of a democratic sovereign nation.
When r they going to use it? When r they going to bomb each other? I hope they will put into use thier investments. And lets see later who has the happier citizen. Actually it is just a plain business. There will be no war to happen between them. Powerfull countries can bomb only countries who cant retaliate
Do u think others wont retaliate. And thr problem is chinese army. It cant fight anyone . And hypersonic missiles. Others also have it. China wants to create army that looks threatning but in actual its a paper tiger.
What a shame. All our neighbors welcomes this development, but Philipines who won the arbitration is not even showing interest.
Carpio is right! Our neighbors, more so our allies who have interest in the matter, are taking the China’s encroachment seriously.
What’s the reason behind Duterte’s hard headednes despite survey report saying Filipinos don’t agree with his policy. Personal? Election related? Drug related?
Kier Valdez The World No.1 Terrorist America.
Really great Sir
Given the current scenario, New Zealand’s observations & comments are very true & appropriate. China can’t be relied upon, China is a threat to entire international community.
Flora de la Sinensis -Seem you are still sleeping and not aware what is happening in your backyard.
Chinese eaters of dogs just want to suppress more Muslims
China is a monster in need of food…. It’s hunger is insatiable. It’s arrogance bulging with surplus money earned by becoming the world’s factory.
And now it wants power and prestige. It has no conscience at the best. At the worst, it is a bit twisted and psychotic, immature yet aggressive you have to see their art and movies to understand what I mean.
They give a damn.
If they want a toy they’ll take it from anyone. They’ll bully the smaller boys, and behave brash with the same sized ones.
China is a monster, an incessantly growing bloodthirsty monster. We are feeding it. Helping it grow.
How can that be legal when the structures are within Philippine economic zone, you even almost had taken the whole country with what you did!
This is welcome news.
This red dragon only knows how to deceive, exploit and enslave with cash gifts and soft loans.
This will stop when genuine traditional development partners strengthen their ties with with these poor countries with weak governance.
China never cares about the loan affordabilty of these poor contries.
They will lend untill these countries sink under the burden of soft loans.
Their aim is to take over those countries and manipulate them for their wicked purposes.
These countries will resist resit China as soon as they realize theyve been had by China,the deceitfull red dragon.
P8-A is an Anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and maritime patrol aircraft, Not a refuelling tanker.
The aircrafts shown here is a Mid Air Refuelling Tanker, its either Boeing KC-767 or Airbus A310 / 330 MRTT
Get your facts correct idiots
And then, tell the world later it’s their territory?
Can you please write in English, not Engrish !