NEW ZEALAND SEALS TRIO OF PACIFIC DEFENCE PACTS TO COUNTER CHINA’S REACH

New Zealand’s defence diplomacy has shifted into overdrive this year, with Wellington sealing three major Pacific security agreements in less than four months. Since April, the country has signed a defence pact with Papua New Guinea, locked in a security declaration with the Cook Islands and floated the idea of joining a fledgling Australia-Fiji defence alliance.

News - South China Morning Post reports that new Zealand’s defence diplomacy has shifted into overdrive this year, with Wellington sealing three major Pacific security agreements in less than four months.

The report adds: Since April, the country has signed a defence pact with Papua New Guinea, locked in a security declaration with the Cook Islands and floated the idea of joining a fledgling Australia-Fiji defence alliance.

Analysts say the common thread is China and concerns about its expanding security and policing links in the Pacific.

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