New Zealand has begun drafting its own maritime security plans with the Solomon Islands, the defence minister revealed.
It comes after Beijing’s own security pact with the nation sparked tensions of a Pacific grab, with fears that a Chinese military base could be established on New Zealand and Australia’s doorstep.
During the 2022 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, an Asia defence summit, New Zealand Defence Minister Peeni Henare met the Solomon Islands National Security Minister Anthony Veke.
“[We] discussed New Zealand’s commitment to our partnership with the Solomon Islands, including on maritime security. Look forward to continuing this important relationship,” Henare wrote in a post on Twitter.
New Zealand and the Solomon Islands have agreed to begin developing a maritime security plan, but the Island nation did not disclose why it agreed to sign a security agreement with Beijing.
“I won’t go into the details of the work plan, but it’s a positive sign, and they’ve got a job to do now to follow up with that particular piece of work,” Henare told Newsroom on June 14.
The minister said the Solomons delegation emphasised that maritime security was the number one theme of their conversation, indicating it was their top priority.
“So I said, ‘Okay, how do we help?’ and that was the creation of the work plan I just described,” Henare said.
He also believed in the strong cooperation of New Zealand’s partners and its willingness to face the issues of the region, despite the presence of an underlying tension throughout the event.
During the defence summit, the New Zealand minister also met with Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe, where they discussed New Zealand’s view on the security of the Pacific.
Henare reiterated New Zealand’s stance on the Pacific was helping make the region more safe and secure and its support of the independence and sovereignty of Pacific nations.
Compared to the United States and Australia, New Zealand’s position towards China has been more amiable.
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