Classified New Zealand papers detail alarm over China's Pacific missile test
China tried to mislead foreign governments in 2024 by playing down the importance of a nuclear-capable missile test over the Pacific Ocean,
New Zealand diplomats privately warned in documents obtained by reporters.
Beijing sent shivers through the South Pacific
in September 2024 , when its elite Rocket Force fired a dummy warhead into the high seas near French Polynesia.
A tranche of classified government briefing notes shows deep concern within the New Zealand government in the wake of the surprise launch, which China shrugged off as 'routine'.
It was China's first long-range missile launch over international waters
in more than 40 years , the papers confirmed, serving as a blunt reminder of Beijing's potent nuclear-strike capabilities.
'We are concerned that China is characterising this as a 'routine test',' senior diplomats wrote in a memo to New Zealand's foreign affairs minister.
'It is not routine: China has not conducted this type of long-range missile test in over 40 years … We do not want to see this test repeated.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Trump repeats ‘maximum' 2 weeks for US to decide whether to join Israel against Iran
US President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated his two-week timeline for deciding whether America would join Israel 's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling it the 'maximum' window for action in an apparent bid to pressure Tehran to negotiate. Advertisement Asked by a reporter whether the US could launch a strike before the two-week deadline, Trump on Friday replied: 'I would say two weeks would be the maximum.' The American leader also on Friday declined Iran 's call for him to urge Israel to stop its air strikes, saying, 'It is very hard to make that request right now.' Israel on Friday launched fresh strikes against dozens of targets in Iran, including missile production facilities. 'If somebody is winning, it's a little bit harder to do that than if somebody is losing,' Trump said, referring to Israel's battlefield advantage. Advertisement 'But we're ready, willing and able, and we've been speaking to Iran, and we'll see what happens,' he added. 'We'll see what happens.'
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Central Asia friendship pact bolsters stability
Amid wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe and geopolitical tensions, Central Asia is a comparative oasis of peace, stability and cooperation. This was reflected this week in the second China-Central Asia Summit. Advertisement The six countries signed a landmark permanent friendship pact, and President Xi Jinping pledged 1.5 billion yuan (HK$1.6 billion) in livelihood and development assistance to China's five partners – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. China shares land borders with 14 neighbouring countries, and Central Asia is one of the least troublesome regions. In his keynote summit address, Xi stressed the need for cooperation amid global upheaval and transformation. Reiterating that there would be no winners in the tariff and trade war, he said: 'Supporters of protectionism and hegemonism will harm others and themselves.' The region, where Russia is historically dominant, is integral to Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative global development strategy, evidenced by heavy investment in energy pipelines, infrastructure and mining projects. Expansion plans include renewable energy and sustainable development – a focus of Xi's talks with the leaders of the five states. He also defended multilateralism and the global trade order at meetings, reflecting China's efforts to position itself as a reliable trade partner. Advertisement Beijing sees terrorism, separatism and extremism as threats to national and regional security, and Xi returned to this theme repeatedly in meetings with leaders. Notwithstanding the historical emphasis on economic development in the region, China has expanded its security presence through joint counterterrorism exercises, training programmes and aid.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Bill finally regulating subdivided flats in Hong Kong calls for speedy passage
It is four years since Beijing's top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs called on the city to get rid of its notorious subdivided flats by 2049. Xia Baolong happened to be on an inspection tour of the city when the government finally outlined proposed legislation next month to regulate them. That it has taken this long says something about the complexity of reconciling so many people's needs for shelter with a decent standard of housing. Advertisement This is a step in the right direction of finally eradicating substandard housing infamous for its shoebox size, poor hygiene and safety hazards. Under the bill, expected to pass before the end of the current Legislative Council term in October, the authorities plan to enforce the new laws from 2027, plus a three-year grace period, with landlords able to register their subdivided flats for compliance with official standards as early as March next year. The government is to be commended for taking a pragmatic approach to an emotive issue for both landlords and tenants. Definition is important. Thanks to media-fuelled perceptions, subdivided flats are all overcrowded, unhygienic and unsafe homes. Defining characteristics include less than 80 sq ft of living space, and lack of a separate toilet and an external window. But there are better-quality examples and a market demand for them, in common with some other countries, including Japan. It would not take much to bring them up to standard. Advertisement To make the regulation work, the authorities had allowed a grace period beyond 2027 of three years, a Housing Bureau spokesman said. There would be relief from accreditation fees for early registration.
