AFP said it obtained a New Zealand government internal file from late last year
that said Beijing’s expanding security presence would make Chinese ballistic
missile tests and naval operations a “persistent” feature in the Pacific. At a
June 26 foreign ministry briefing, spokesman Guo Jiakun said he was not aware of
the document and reiterated that China pursues peaceful development; its
military growth is to safeguard sovereignty and development interests, is not
targeted at any country, and helps maintain Asia‑Pacific and global stability.
