‘Seriously concerned’ by China’s increased security actions in Pacific, says New Zealand

News Snapshot:

With the signing of a covert security agreement with the Solomon Islands, China has persuaded a number of Pacific Island governments to transfer diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing read more New Zealand’s foreign minister on Friday hit out at China’s bid for an increased security presence in the Pacific Islands, warning against actions that could “destabilise” or undermine regional security. “China has a long-standing presence in the Pacific, but we are seriously concerned by increased engagement in Pacific security sectors,” Winston Peters said in a speech on relations with China that offered rare criticism of New Zealand’s key trading...