'Standing up for NZ': Peters' staunch response after China tests missile applauded
The Foreign Affairs Minister’s “staunch” stance on China testing missiles in the South Pacific is being lauded as sending a strong message to the superpower that it needs to stop.
China launched the inactive long-range ballistic missile into the Nuclear Free Zone of the South Pacific yesterday just hours after Australian and Fiji governments signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance, a mutual defence treaty.
Australia's Foreign Affair Minister Penny Wong has labelled the move 'destabilising' to South Pacific. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Labour leader Chris Hipkins told Ryan Bridge TODAY the missile test by China was a “really concerning”, unwelcome development.
“The New Zealand Government has expressed its concern and we strongly endorse that concern.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to media during a visit to Marsden Point, where he is expected to be asked about the missile test.
Former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp told Mike Hosking Breakfast that New Zealand “fought hard” to become nuclear-free in 1985.
“Winston Peters is being pretty staunch. He knows this is part of New Zealand history and tradition. He is standing up for New Zealand.
“China will get the message that if they want to have nuclear deterrents, don’t test in South Pacific.”
The missile was launched into the Nuclear Free Zone of the South Pacific. Photo / Xinhua.
Australia correspondent Donna Demaio told Early Edition with Ryan Bridge the Australian Government labelled the move as “destabilising to the region”.
She said while the Government was informed of the test, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said it “lacked transparency and assurance that Pacific neighbours expected”.
“She said destabilising acts could lead to ‘miscalculation’ and ‘lead to where we do not want these actions to lead’.”
Hipkins said if there was an opportunity for New Zealand to join the alliance, the Government should take it.
“In terms of the ally agreement between Australia and Fiji, I think that’s very welcome because it’s a reinstatement or reinforcement of that commitment to the pacific nation being a nation of peace...
“Critical thing here is it’s a defence agreement ... an agreement to support each other in the event of an attack, not to go in behind another country if they’re an attacker.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said the test went against the obligations to the Treaty of Rarotonga. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Chinese state media Xinhua on Monday night described the test launch as a “routine arrangement” as part of the PLA Navy’s “annual training”, the same language used by China following a 2024 missile launch.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said China launched the missile “within hours” of informing New Zealand, despite “long-standing concern about this type of activity”.
“Launching ballistic missiles into the South Pacific is at odds with the spirit and intent of the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace. This missile was fired into the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone established by the Treaty of Rarotonga. China’s action goes against the object and intent of that Treaty.”
Peters said New Zealand would speak with Pacific partners about the development as the leaders “have been clear we do not want to see the region become a theatre for outside military competition”.
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