New Zealand said on Thursday it would consider sharing advanced military technology with the United States and Britain as it pursues a closer defense relationship with Australia amid concerns about an increasingly assertive China.
The defense and foreign ministers of Australia and New Zealand met in Melbourne to discuss deepening security ties between the neighboring countries. It was the first joint meeting since New Zealand's right-wing coalition government took office last year.
Australia has announced it will send officials to New Zealand this year to discuss the trilateral defense partnership between Australia, the UK and the US.
China, the United States and others are competing for influence in the strategically important Pacific Ocean.
The United States and Britain have agreed to provide Australia with a fleet of submarines equipped with American nuclear technology.
New Zealand, which has banned nuclear-powered ships from using its ports since 1984, joins an effort between Australia, the UK and the US to develop and share advanced military capabilities, including artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and artificial intelligence. I'm thinking about whether or not to do it. Hypersonic technology.
Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed concern over allegations that several staff from the main UN aid agency in the war-torn Gaza Strip took part in Hamas' deadly attack on Israel four months ago. did. But she hinted that Australian funding for government agencies could be reinstated if “there is no alternative”.
At least 10 countries, including Australia, have suspended funding to the Palestinian Refugee Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) over the allegations.
