NZ Accuses China of Undermining Pacific Peace with Missile Test

New Zealand has strongly condemned China's recent test-firing of a nuclear-capable missile into the South Pacific, asserting that the action directly undermines the peace and stability of the Islands region. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters revealed that China conducted the test with a dummy warhead just hours after briefing regional governments, a move he described as being at odds with the region's commitment to peace.

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The Pacific is an Ocean of Peace and we are deeply concerned by China's testing of nuclear-capable weapons into the South Pacific.

"The Pacific is an Ocean of Peace and we are deeply concerned by China's testing of nuclear-capable weapons into the South Pacific," Peters stated. He emphasized that New Zealand, along with other Pacific Island nations, has consistently opposed any form of nuclear testing or related capability tests in the region. "We, like our neighbours in other Pacific countries, have no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing site for missile capability," the minister added.

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We, like our neighbours in other Pacific countries, have no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing site for missile capability.

Peters further argued that China's action contravenes the principles of the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace initiative, which aims to safeguard the region from conflict and militarization. The missile was fired into the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, established by the Treaty of Rarotonga, directly challenging the treaty's objectives. This incident occurs amid heightened geopolitical activity, with China deploying satellite tracking vessels in the Pacific, coinciding with Australia's efforts to sign security and defense treaties with Pacific nations.

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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.

Pacific Island governments have repeatedly voiced concerns about the growing militarization of their region. Peters echoed these sentiments, stating, "We will be talking with our Pacific partners about this development. Pacific leaders have been clear we do not want to see the region become a theatre for outside military competition." He stressed that the launch is inconsistent with regional stability and peace, noting that China's test firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the South Pacific in 2024 suggests a recurring pattern that regional countries must actively counter to prevent normalization.

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We will be talking with our Pacific partners about this development. Pacific leaders have been clear we do not want to see the region become a theatre for outside military competition.