Chinese minister to discuss New Zealand security role

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee will be discussing New Zealand's role in the security of the Asia- Pacific region at this week's 14th annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Representatives from about 30 countries would attend the event, which brings together defense ministers from around the Asia- Pacific region, Brownlee said in a statement Thursday.

Brownlee said he would also hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from a range of countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States.

"New Zealand has a long history of active defence engagement in the Asia-Pacific region," Brownlee said.

"With the vast majority of New Zealand's imports and exports transiting through the Asia-Pacific, our country has a very real stake in the region's security," he said.

"A stable and secure Asia-Pacific region underpins our economic prosperity and development."