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New Zealand is looking to bolster its defences and realign its foreign policy by moving closer to Western allies. Wellington has long been one of Beijing’s closest partners among Western democracies. But relations have become strained recently as China seeks to expand its military and diplomatic presence in the Pacific.
In his first major foreign policy speech since taking office in November 2023, Christopher Luxon said New Zealand could no longer live in “Excellent isolation” This is due to its geographical location. “The relaunch of our foreign policy must be based on cooperation with long-standing partners”he told the Lowy Institute, a foreign policy think tank in Sydney, Australia.
He said North Korea would seek to strengthen ties with its traditional allies, the United States, Britain, NATO and its Pacific neighbors. “Who we know best and with whom we have a deep relationship of trust”.
The strategy represents a significant shift after years of close economic ties with China. Christopher Luxon acknowledged that China remains New Zealand’s largest trading partner and that “A country with undeniable influence. But, he added, it has a different value, which means “There are some issues we cannot and will not agree on”.
Without security, we cannot achieve prosperity.
Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand
In March, Wellington announced ‘State-sponsored groups’ The Chinese government was behind a malicious cyberattack that infiltrated sensitive government IT systems in 2021. China has denied the hacking allegations and accused New Zealanders of being puppets of Washington.
sketch ‘Tectonic shift’ On regional geopolitics, Christopher Luxon warned that New Zealand must be aware of the risks of regional conflict. “Without security, we cannot achieve prosperity”he declared.
“New Zealand must also become a participant and contributor, not just a spectator.”he stressed. In addition, the Prime Minister also proposed a review of defense policy, with the focus on updating and modernizing the country’s military capabilities.
New Zealand also plans to participate in the Aukus project, which currently brings together Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, to develop advanced military technologies such as artificial intelligence, underwater drones and hypersonic missiles.
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