Pacific leaders condemn China missile test
Pacific leaders and the United States have criticized China’s nuclear-capable missile test in the South Pacific after the Pacific Islands Forum failed to agree on a joint response. The launch, carried out near Tuvalu, prompted concern that Beijing gave insufficient warning before firing a dummy warhead into Pacific waters.
A joint statement released by the United States on August 11 was backed by New Zealand, Australia, the Marshall Islands and Palau. The statement argued that the recent missile testing in the Pacific did not meet standard practices intended to prevent misunderstandings and reduce the risk of escalation.
Key Events
- China carried out a nuclear-capable missile test in the South Pacific near Tuvalu in early July.
- A Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers meeting in Suva failed to produce a joint statement condemning the test.
- The United States and several Pacific countries issued a joint statement criticizing the launch and its short notice.
- New Zealand, Australia, the Marshall Islands and Palau signed the statement.
- The statement said recent missile testing in the Pacific fell short of standard practices meant to avoid miscalculation.