5. NZ considers China's new risks in defense review by Sam Sachdeva

but an expert predicted " bumps on the road ". Following the Newly Bold Commentary

Mark's Statement of Strategic Defense Policy published Friday morning, is the government's update of its predecessor's 2016 Defense White Paper. 19659003] The Strategic Defense Policy Statement, released Friday morning by Defense Minister Ron Mark, is the government's attempt to update the 2016 Defense White Paper to reflect its priorities and the future 39, changing environment. New Zealand's strategic environment and implications for security, saying that the pressure on the rules-based international order will be played out "so dare to home."

"We will face challenges of unparalleled scope and magnitude in our neighborhood."

China confident, disruptive Russia

"More and more confident" Chinese integration into the rules According to the report, the international order did not accompanied by the adoption of similar values ​​

"At both the national and international level, China has divergent opinions on human rights and freedom of information."

China's alternative development model, "a liberal economy without a liberal democracy," challenged conventional thinking and allowed it to assert its interests more confidently as it sought a greater global leadership role China: China's increased military presence in disputed areas of maritime Asia, said China "determined not to engage with an international tribunal He cites the Russia as another country disrupting the ord re international, who tried to discredit Western democracy through information operations and "exploit existing cracks" within societies

. Laws and standards, sometimes deviant and below threshold, included social media campaigns during the US and UK elections, which "magnified political polarization".

Mark stated that the report contained "nothing new in China" because he had recently raised New Zealand's concerns at a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart.

"They are friends and people with whom things are not conducive to peace and stability, which give rise to unnecessary miscalculations."

Asked about China's activities Mark mentions "the circumstances of some of our Pacific Island nations," as well as his military installations
on disputed territory of the South China Sea.

we must protect our economy, if we want to remain a prosperous nation, we must ensure that we have freedom of movement and freedom of commerce and the freedom to transmit by these means. "

" There is a price to pay for having independence of mind, there is the responsibility of being open and frank. But the key is to always keep the doors open, maintain a respectful dialogue with people and help people understand your perspective and understand their point of view. "

The publication of the document was not a" Chinese moment "but a reaffirmation of New Zealand's independent foreign policy, referring to its previous positions against nuclear weapons and in favor of giving to women the right to vote

"There is a price for having the independence of mind and frankness. But the key is to always keep the doors open, maintain a respectful dialogue with people and help people understand your point of view and understand their point of view. "

Mark did not believe that the report would be badly received by China.

" They recognize our position, we recognize theirs, we respect each other and I think we probably respect more for the virtues of the fact that we have an open conversation as opposed to … talk about "

" The bumps on the road "in front of him

David Capie, the director of the Center for Strategic Studies, said the comments on China seemed to be a case of "what we say publicly [catching] with what we have been saying privately for a long time."

However, Capie said that there were still problems in understand the global position of the government when he came to China, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern n Foreign Minister Winston Peters, refraining from naming China during the discussion on the South China Sea [19659002] "I Here we have a new set of I think the message we are supposed to bring out is interesting. "

He thought that the strategy would be welcomed by the partners of Five Eyes in New Zealand, but he said that there would be" bumps on the road "with China

" I do not I do not think China was very happy with Mr. Peters' comments last week, so if they do not like these, they will certainly not like what's in there. this document. "

Anne-Marie Brady, a professor at the University of Canterbury, whose Magic Weapons paper published last year described Chinese efforts to gain influence in New Zealand said that the remarks of the statement on China "really resonate with me." I speak frankly to China, and that's what a real friend does – to say what? he really thinks. "

Brady stated that Mark's paper and comments were a continuation of the sentiment of the prebudget speech of Peters where he said Zeeland faced a "big turning point" in its history

Threat of Climate Change Safety

As previously reported by Mark, the paper also focuses on implications of climate change for security. It immediately affects the Pacific and the vast developing world, "places relatively less well equipped to face these challenges".

Climate change is already leading to an increase in extreme weather conditions and threatens Pacific marine and coastal ecosystems. "Where livelihoods are affected, climate change will cause displacement and migration (both internally and cross-border) and has the potential to destabilize areas of weak governance, amplifying"

Mr Capie said that the policy statement was "a pretty smart document" to link the different political priorities of coalition partners, including the Pacific, climate change and New Zealand communities. [It] provides a type of glue who, I think, will bring together the different parts of the coalition, the different parts of the government, and give them some sort of ground for supporting the defense. "

" You can talk about what I think you that it will be much more difficult. "

However, there were still some question marks as to whether the government would provide the funding that seemed to be needed try to equip the NZDF for "this much more disturbing strategic environment."

"You can talk about what you want to do, but find the money to achieve that, I think, is going to be a lot harder."

Mark said a review of the Defense Capability Plan would be completed by the end of the year, which would give a better idea of ​​the amount needed.

"My job is to ensure the security and safety of the Defense Force, delivered to them in capacity, which obviously means tied money as well."

Article updated : 3:25 pm