Chinese ballistic missile tests and naval forays will become a “persistent” feature of the Pacific as Beijing expands its security presence, New Zealand officials said in an internal document.
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The warning was issued in a December 2025 report by New Zealand’s Defence Force and Ministry of Foreign Affairs while they were monitoring a People’s Liberation Army navy (PLA-N) flotilla in the Philippine Sea.
“New Zealand officials are in close contact with Australian counterparts and maintaining situational awareness of these vessels,” said the document obtained by AFP under freedom of information laws.
“More broadly we anticipate that Chinese actions, such as the PLA-N task group that transited the Tasman Sea in February and China’s launch of an inter-continental ballistic missile into the Pacific in September 2024, will be a persistent feature of our strategic environment.”
The 15-page report was sent to New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his ministers for defence, foreign affairs and intelligence.
China has directed billions of dollars into defence in recent years, a trend that has unnerved some governments despite Beijing insisting its aims are peaceful.
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@rimu @BaconWrappedEnigma
There’s been a huge push by US interests to generate an environment of fear regarding China in recent years.
The reality is the US empire is in a death spiral which it will not survive. The dumbest thing NZ or any other western country can do is allow itself to be dragged into an un-winnable economic or military war with China. Particularly considering China is NZ’s largest trading partner.
I can think of dumber things.
While I am also tired of fearmongering about China, there’s been a huge amount of Chinese propaganda about “the inevitable end of the US empire” and the “great progress China is making”. Whether either of those trends continues is unknown.
The reality is the US empire dying in a death spiral is already creating a power vacuum and further destabilising global economies that were already facing existential threats. At some point, many countries will turn to conflict as a way to restart their economies. Not sure if you read my message but you may have missed “the economies” which means many countries; not just China. Nobody was suggesting aligning with the USA. Thanks for joining the conversation.
@BaconWrappedEnigma
I certainly accept the fact that US failing to uphold international law and in fact under Trump is posing a threat economically and politically with its traditional allies.
I am certainly no expert but it seems the world is in desperate need of a stabilising global economic system that will serve the interests of all countries and territories. Nearly half of the global population currently reside in countries under some form of U.S. sanctions , which affects approximately 54 individual countries globally and has a devastating impact on the global financial and geopolitical stability.
The only real hope I have for a successful transition to a more stable and sustainable future is a multipolar economy which doesn’t require a single state to control or force its will on lesser nations.
Idealistic I know but it’s probably our only chance of survival as a species.