Brown was speaking after China fired a nuclear-capable missile from a submarine into the Pacific. After passing through the exclusive economic zones of several Pacific nations, the missile splashed down close to Nauru and Tuvalu.
Brown said the test was a “wake-up call for the region”.
“China is a challenge for everyone. They’re looking to take over Taiwan certainly, they’re looking to create a toll road in the South China Sea,” Brown said.
China has publicly stated it wishes to achieve reunification with Taiwan, the self-governing democratic island that China claims as its own. China has not ruled out using military force.
The US Embassy in Wellington was approached for comment. It directed queries to a statement from the US State Department, which described the test as “of great concern to the region and the world“.
Brown praised Foreign Minister Winston Peters for calling out China in the past.
The Trump administration has called on countries to lift defence spending – including countries like New Zealand that are not formal allies of the United States.
Earlier this year, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said New Zealand was “freeloading” off the American military because of its low level of military spending.
Defence Minister Chris Penk responded to the remarks, noting New Zealand is lifting its defence spending to 2% of GDP, which is a long-standing benchmark for Nato allies of the US. New Zealand is not a Nato ally but is close with the alliance.
“The United States is willing and able to remain engaged in our region. That’s a good thing. But they would also state their expectation that others remain fully engaged, including in the way that they are well-resourced,” Penk said in response to those remarks.