US Tests Cargo Plane Missile System in the Pacific in Message to China
AntiWarAug 02, 2023
The Facts
On Friday, New Zealand introduced its first-ever national security strategy alongside the first phase of a defense review, calling for more spending on its military and the strengthening of ties with countries in the Indo-Pacific.
Presented by Defense Minister Andrew Little, the review said that the island nation must boost its military budget from approximately 1% of the nation's GDP to nearly 2%.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
The wording, the overall tone, and the substance of the new National Security Strategy represent a historic shift. China's aggression has been — and continues to be — a major concern as it elbows its way in the Indo-Pacific, forcing New Zealand to take the necessary steps to become combat-ready. This review is long overdue.
Pro-China narrative
New Zealand has maintained warmer relations with Beijing than many of its Western allies amid rising global tensions. PM Chris Hipkins's recent visit to Beijing showed that he's interested in stabilizing and improving relations with China. However, this latest analysis may be the first sign that Wellington has lost its ability to think for itself and is now echoing the US' strategy toward Beijing.
