The NATO military alliance of 30 countries across Europe and North America has agreed to "step up" and help New Zealand and Australia combat "China's growing influence".
In a speech following high-level meetings among NATO Foreign Ministers on Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance had "agreed to step up cooperation with our partners in the Asia-Pacific".
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) between the United States, Canada and 28 European countries was established in the aftermath of World War II. Each signatory is required to come to the defence of other members in the event of an attack.
The NATO military alliance of 30 countries across Europe and North America has agreed to "step up" and help New Zealand and Australia combat "China's growing influence".
In a speech following high-level meetings among NATO Foreign Ministers on Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance had "agreed to step up cooperation with our partners in the Asia-Pacific".
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) between the United States, Canada and 28 European countries was established in the aftermath of World War II. Each signatory is required to come to the defence of other members in the event of an attack.
The NATO military alliance of 30 countries across Europe and North America has agreed to "step up" and help New Zealand and Australia combat "China's growing influence".
In a speech following high-level meetings among NATO Foreign Ministers on Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance had "agreed to step up cooperation with our partners in the Asia-Pacific".
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) between the United States, Canada and 28 European countries was established in the aftermath of World War II. Each signatory is required to come to the defence of other members in the event of an attack.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged New Zealand and Australia to respect the sovereignty of the Solomon Islands.
"Relevant countries should earnestly respect Solomon Islands' sovereignty and its independent decisions instead of deciding what others should and should not do self-importantly and condescendingly from a privileged position."
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Ardern said she was willing to talk it out with Sogavare.
"All that we are asking is that the Solomons give consideration to a Pacific response to these issues and engage with the Pacific, particularly through the Pacific Island Forum," she said on Tuesday.
"I have no hesitation engaging directly. I know he has also received similar conversations from other Pacific Island leaders."
The Government announced last week it would extend the deployment of up to five Defence Force personnel in the Solomon Islands, to be reviewed on May 31.
It followed the deployment of 65 Defence Force personnel in December after a request for help from the Solomon Islands, following riots sparked by its decision to recognise China over Taiwan.
The Government also dispatched nine Defence Force analysts to Britain and Belgium to assist with the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Defence Force will help European partners by gathering intelligence about the war during their nighttime hours.
