Beijing accuses Pacific forum host Palau of ‘hype’ over its missile test

Beijing has denounced Palau for exaggerating its recent missile test in the Pacific, following Palau's plea for the regional Pacific Islands Forum to condemn China's launch on the summit's last day. The summit, which brought together 18 nations, was dominated by tensions between Beijing and Taiwan. Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr. expressed hope that the forum would address the issue in a joint statement, emphasizing the importance of a united Pacific voice in advocating for China's respect for sovereignty and transparency.

The July ballistic missile test, China's first in the Pacific since September 2024, occurred shortly after Fiji and Australia signed a major defense treaty, marking Fiji's first-ever alliance. Despite several Pacific Island foreign ministers' attempts to agree on a statement condemning the test during a prior meeting, their efforts were unsuccessful due to individual leaders' concerns over regional militarization.

China maintains that the test was carried out safely and has never engaged in military expansion. Palau's spokesman dismissed Beijing's accusations as malicious and vowed that they would not succeed in manipulating the forum's member states. The summit's focus on China's objections to Taiwan's attendance has overshadowed other discussions, with some Pacific leaders choosing to send lower-ranking representatives, potentially impacting the meeting's outcome.