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 […]
Diplomats from Pacific nations convened in Fiji on Friday to address China's recent nuclear-capable missile test, but failed to reach consensus on a unified statement condemning the launch. New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters accused participating countries of appeasing China's "outsiders" rather than upholding their own interests.
China had provided limited notice before the test, which reportedly landed in the ocean between Solomon Islands, Nauru, and Tuvalu. Pacific leaders, including Tuvalu, expressed concern over the test and demanded a strong joint statement reflecting their collective stance. However, two member states—Kiribati and Nauru—blocked the statement's adoption, likely due to their close ties with China.
Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong hoped China would heed the Pacific's "very clear response" to the test, emphasizing the forum's concerns over the missile launch. The meeting precedes a full leaders' gathering in Palau in September, with diplomats also discussing which key partners may attend.
Written by urgent.news from Hong Kong Free Press - China's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
