Pacific diplomats struggle to issue joint condemnation of China's missile test

During the annual Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers' meeting in Suva, delegates attempted to craft a joint condemnation of China’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile test, but consensus proved elusive. The missile, which landed in a remote ocean area between the Solomon Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu, sparked anxiety in Tuvalu about possible tsunamis, according to a senior Tuvalu foreign affairs official. New Zealand’s foreign affairs minister accused Pacific nations of missing an opportunity to call out China, while emphasizing the need for logical debate.

Tuvalu sought assistance from Australia, France and the United States to locate the dummy warhead, and Australia’s foreign minister said the region had already voiced clear concerns. However, China-friendly members Kiribati, Nauru and Vanuatu appeared reluctant to formally criticize Beijing, suggesting any final statement may be watered-down and omit direct reference to the test. The meeting precedes a leaders’ summit in Palau, where attendance rules and security issues will also be discussed.