THE defense policy strategy statement cited China’s increased military investment and assertive stance in the Pacific Region as a primary threat to New Zealand.
Under the ongoing defense policy review, New Zealand’s Defense Minister Andrew Little presented two policy documents to lawmakers, namely the future force design principles and a defense policy strategy statement, as well as a new National Security Strategy (NSS).
Little said the policy review was aimed at strengthening New Zealand’s military alliance with Australia and ties with the five eyes intelligence partners which include the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
The Defense Minister said New Zealand needs to be equipped and prepared for the possibility of playing a role should conflict break out.
In other words, the focus of New Zealand’s military spending is not on defending the country’s territory, which has never been subject to a foreign military attack, but rather, on getting ready to fight someone else’s battle nearly 9,000 kilometers away, in a war between two of the world’s biggest nuclear powers-the United States and China.
The defense strategy documents were released after the US and Australia pressured New Zealand to drop their pretense of not taking sides while its previous leaders were hesitant in antagonizing China.
China takes roughly 30% of all New Zealand exports while around $20-B of New Zealand’s exports flow through the South China Sea every year.
The future force design report is New Zealand’s first-ever NSS paper.
