Nudged by Chinese expansion, U.S., New Zealand revive defense ties

Special to WorldTribune.com

The United States and New Zealand will resume close military cooperation after nearly three-decades of a bilateral ban on any joint military actions between the two democracies.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, left, and New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman at an Oct. 28 press conference at the Pentagon. /Jim Watson/Getty Images

The move highlights a new security agenda for both countries in the Asia Pacific region, driven in part by China’s aggressive military expansion in the area.

In 1984, New Zealand suspended part of the ANZUS Treaty by unceremoniously banning port visits by all U.S. nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed vessels.

In retaliation, the U.S. issued a similar ban on all New Zealand military ships from docking at any U.S. ports or facilities.

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ANZUS Treaty, Chuck Hagel, Jonathan Coleman, New Zealand revive defense ties, Nudged by Chinese expansion, U.S.

Nudged by Chinese expansion, U.S., New Zealand revive defense ties added by World Tribune on November 5, 2013
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