Pacific nations fail to agree on statement condemning China missile test
Pacific diplomats gathered in Fiji failed on Friday to agree on a joint statement condemning China’s recent test of a nuclear-capable missile in the region, with New Zealand’s foreign minister accusing them of appeasing “outsiders”. Beijing gave only a handful of nations short notice before test-firing an intercontinental ballistic missile last month, flexing its military […]
Pacific nations gathered in Fiji, but could not reach an agreement on a joint statement condemning China’s recent nuclear-capable missile test in the region. New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters accused the group of appeasing "outsiders," pointing to Kiribati and Nauru as members who resisted condemnation of their major partner.
Tuvalu, a Taiwanese ally, also pushed for a joint statement, expressing concern about intimidation by external powers. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong hoped China would take note of the Pacific's response, while diplomats discussed which key partners could attend a full leaders' meeting in Palau in September.
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