What's happened
New Zealand and the US have signed a joint declaration to deepen their historic partnership, emphasizing the need to work together more urgently in the face of common challenges. New Zealand's new government aims to strengthen ties with Western nations like the US, Australia, and the UK, potentially joining the Aukus security pact and forming a partnership with Nato. However, these efforts could strain relations with China, New Zealand's largest trading partner.
Why it matters
The strengthening of ties between New Zealand and the US is significant in the current challenging strategic environment, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. New Zealand's pivot towards Western allies reflects concerns about China's growing influence in the Pacific, but risks economic repercussions from Beijing. The move underscores the shifting geopolitical dynamics and the need for like-minded nations to collaborate in defense of shared values and interests.
What the papers say
The joint declaration between New Zealand and the US to deepen their partnership was highlighted by Bloomberg, emphasizing the strategic challenges faced by the two nations and the importance of working together. The South China Morning Post discussed New Zealand's efforts to bolster ties with Western nations, potentially joining the Aukus security pact and forming a partnership with Nato, raising concerns about potential backlash from China, its largest trading partner.
How we got here
New Zealand's new center-right government, in power since late last year, is seeking to enhance its relationships with Western allies amid growing concerns over China's expanding influence in the Pacific region. The move to explore joining the Aukus security pact and collaborating with Nato is part of Wellington's strategy to align with like-minded nations in response to shared challenges.
Common question
More on these topics
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. Neighbouring countries include the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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AUKUS is a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, announced on 15 September 2021 for the Indo-Pacific region. Under the pact, the US and the UK will help Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
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Beijing, alternatively romanized as Peking, is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the world's most populous capital city, with over 21 million residents within an administrative area of 16,410.5 kmĀ².
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The Asia-Pacific or Asia Pacific is the part of the world in or near the Western Pacific Ocean. Asia-Pacific varies in area depending on context, but it generally includes East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.
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Kurt Michael Campbell, AO, CNZM is an American diplomat and businessman, who formerly served as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. He is the chairman and CEO of The Asia Group, LLC, which he founded in February 2013.
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Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
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John Christopher Aquilino is an admiral in the United States Navy, serving as the commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command since April 30, 2021.