New Zealanders wary of superpowers posing potential threat
A new survey indicates that New Zealanders are increasingly viewing both China and the United States as threats. Trust in both superpowers has declined, while Australia remains the most trusted international partner.
Why it matters
Shifting public sentiment in New Zealand reflects broader geopolitical tensions in the Pacific region and concerns over great power behavior.
A new poll shows that more people view China as a threat as distrust in the US continues to rise.
The latest survey by the Asia New Zealand Foundation showed that 36 percent of New Zealanders viewed China as a threat, an increase from 23 percent recorded in June .
At the same time, 23 percent respondents viewed China as a friend, down from 43 percent in June.
The organisation's Dr Julia MacDonald said the findings followed China's ballistic missile test in the Pacific in July.
"We see in the same survey, 50 percent were 'very' or 'extremely concerned' about that missile test," she said.
Meanwhile, 39 percent of New Zealanders saw the US as a threat, an increase of 4 percent from the previous survey.
The percentage of New Zealanders viewing US as a friend has dropped from 39 percent to 24 percent.
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