Summarised by Centrist
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says China’s launch of a nuclear-capable missile into the South Pacific was “unacceptable”, “unwelcome” and “concerning”, warning New Zealand does not want to see increasing militarisation in a proudly nuclear-free region.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand was told of the planned test only “earlier today”, before China carried it out “within hours”. He says the launch is “not consistent with regional stability” and is “at odds with the spirit and intent” of the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace.
RNZ reports that the missile flew over the Exclusive Economic Zones of the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Tuvalu and Kiribati, before landing in waters near Tuvalu and Kiribati.
China’s state media said the missile was launched from a submarine, carried a dummy warhead and landed in “designated waters” of the Pacific. Beijing described the launch as a “routine arrangement”, said it was consistent with international law and insisted it was not aimed at any country. Reuters also reported the missile was launched from a nuclear-powered submarine and drew concern from regional powers.
Luxon said China’s activity was legal, but inconsistent with Pacific values. Peters says New Zealand and its Pacific neighbours have “no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing site for missile capability”. He also warned the region should not allow such tests to become “normalised or routine”.
The test comes the same day Australia and Fiji signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance, a mutual defence pact that commits each country to help the other if attacked. Luxon says he has spoken with the Australian and Fijian prime ministers about the agreement, and Cabinet is discussing whether New Zealand might join it.
The United States said it monitored the launch and criticised China’s “rapid and opaque” nuclear weapons build-up. Washington urged Beijing to engage in arms control talks and regular launch notification arrangements.
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