Beijing has already sent its police to Oceania.
New Zealand and the Pacific island nation of Kiribati have signed a new partnership agreement. This step signals a warming of bilateral relations, which notably cooled last year after Wellington announced a review of its aid program to the country.
Kiribati is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, located near Hawaii. The country controls a vast exclusive economic zone covering approximately 3.6 million square kilometers. In recent years, Kiribati has been building closer ties with Beijing. In particular, Chinese police are operating in the country.
"Over the past six months, there has been an active political dialogue between our countries, and New Zealand is pleased that it has concluded with the signing of the Partnership Statement," said New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters. He noted that the relationship between the two countries remains warm and has a long history. The minister is visiting Kiribati, marking his first trip to the country since 2019.
In a joint statement, the parties outlined four priority areas for cooperation. Among them are the desire for deeper mutual understanding and strategic coordination on foreign policy issues, as well as collaboration in the areas of health, welfare, peace, and security.
The New Zealand government statement also mentions additional agreements. Wellington has committed to enhancing support for programs aimed at preventing non-communicable diseases and protecting maternal and child health. Furthermore, New Zealand will expand assistance that will allow more citizens of Kiribati to work in the country under the seasonal labor program. An increase in funding for projects aimed at ensuring water security is also specifically mentioned.
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