Pacific must not become a ‘military zone’ amid rise of China, New Zealand’s deputy PM warns

China's growing influence in the Pacific is causing alarm among New Zealand officials, who warn that the region could shift toward a military zone. Winston Peters, New Zealand's top diplomat, has emphasized the need to preserve peace and security in the area, amid tensions over China's live-drilling exercises in the Tasman Sea and diplomatic disputes with the Cook Islands due to unclear agreements. Peters stressed the importance of addressing these issues while navigating global uncertainties from Trump's tariffs and changes at USAID. He highlighted that maintaining open dialogue is crucial for strengthening ties with Pacific nations amid concerns about China's influence expansion.