China’s very unwelcome missile testing in south Pacific

Days after China fired the first of two missiles into the south Pacific, the fallout continues. It is the first time that I am aware of any nation deliberately test firing missiles in this part of the world. It follows an earlier incident where Chinese ships entered the international waters of the Tasman Sea. Whilst that was legal, it was also concerning as live fire drills were conducted which caused commercial flights across the Tasman Sea to be diverted.

Parliament, to its credit, has been largely united in condemnation of the test firings. New Zealand First, A.C.T., National and Labour have all criticized the actions, saying that they are unbecoming of a nation that calls itself a friend; such activity does not belong in the south Pacific and does nothing for regional tensions.

Australia was also quick to respond, as were the smaller countries such as Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. All were united in their condemnation of the firings.

The major problem with these tests, aside from being highly provocative events in a peaceful part of the world, is that it goes against the object and purpose of the Treaty of Rarotonga.

Australia and Fiji are soon to enter an agreement called Peaceful Oceans. Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has said that New Zealand will seriously look at joining that agreement.

This is a rare moment when Parliamentary parties seem to be in common agreement regarding nuclear weapons in a south Pacific context. I am here for this. I am here for the strongest denunciation of militaristic activities that threaten this treaty, signed in 1985, which New Zealand can manage. There is no place for such weapons in this corner of the world, now or ever.

Acting Prime Minister, David Seymour, reflected on the recent visit by Indian President Narendra Modi, who is the Commander in Chief of Indian Armed Forces, which include nuclear weapons. Mr Seymour noted that had India fired a missile into south Pacific territory, his welcome in New Zealand when he visited last week, would have been decidedly colder. Mr Seymour further noted that friendly nations do not fire missiles around fellow friends, a clear rebuke aimed at China.

The Chinese response is tone deaf. No country is welcome to fire military ordinance into the south Pacific – that is the clear and unequivocal message emanating from Canberra to Honiara, Wellington to Suva.

Washington D.C. might also do well to take note. The new Ambassador Jared Novelly talked about how the United States is keen for New Zealand to revisit its anti-nuclear stance. And in one of the few clear and unequivocal statements he has made in his tenure as Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon suggested that America might learn a bit of history about our stance.

In a Government where I have seen almost nothing to reassure me about their intent and purpose, the forceful pushback against the militarization of the south Pacific is a bright point.

May it continue.