New Zealand to expand military links with China

NZDF looks at "pro-active areas" for cooperation with China's PLA in the Pacific, says Lt Gen Tim Keating

Building relations between the armed forces of New Zealand and China will be a priority for the new commander of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), Xinhua reported Thursday.

Lt Gen Tim Keating, who took up his post in January, said the NZDF also wanted to look at "pro-active areas" for cooperation with China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the Pacific.

Keating said the New Zealand-China defense relationship had strengthened over the last 10 years "on the back of open and frank dialogue and the shared interest of a prosperous, integrated and stable Asia-Pacific region".

"Strengthening ties between the NZDF and the PLA on a bilateral basis and in regional settings remains a priority for New Zealand, " Keating said.

Both New Zealand and China recognized the importance of expanding operational and tactical level cooperation to enhance trust and understanding among junior and mid-level officers, he said.