Note: The views expressed in this article are that of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of Xinhua News Agency or its editorial team.

New Zealand woke to the news today that our brothers across the ditch, in league with the British and Americans, had engaged in an act of needless aggression towards China, with the establishment of the AUKUS pact. One would think this is unnecessary, given the existence of ANZUS - but the move was designed to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, which is a threat to peace, security, and the South Pacific nuclear-free zone.

Most of all, however, it contributes to a pattern of needless war-mongering against the Chinese government and people. Make no mistake - if we do not act, we will be complicit. Our values of peace and our nuclear-free zone are principles and values that New Zealanders hold very dear, yet, we are seeing our allies completely ignore these values. Is it not our place to act?

I do have criticisms of the Chinese government, but if they saw nearby nations acting in such flagrant violations of the principles and values that they support, they would not simply roll over and let it happen. At worst, it signifies that we are weak, at best, it signifies that our silence is support. If the Chinese government rightfully bites back after this insult against them from Australia, of course we would be quick to condemn them, but not Australia for being the initial aggressors.

This is why we must end the anti-China hysteria that is rampant in our government. It puts our trade relationship with the People's Republic at risk, and contributes to needless alienation of China. We should do whatever we can to lobby our Australian friends to reverse their stunning policy failure, and whatever we can to signify to our Chinese friends that we do not support this, and we are willing to co-operate with them more closely in fostering a productive trade relationship.

model-putrid is the leader of the New Zealand branch of the Pirate Party.