Chair of Pacific leaders meeting urges united front on China missile test

Surangel Whipps Jr., chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and president of Palau, urged member nations to unite in condemning China's recent missile test in the Pacific, during the summit's final day. The July test, Beijing's first known launch in the region since September 2024, sparked concerns among Pacific nations over the militarization of the area.

Whipps emphasized the importance of a unified Pacific voice in addressing Beijing's actions, calling for respect of sovereignty, transparency, and responsible partnership. He expressed hope that the issue would be addressed in the bloc's joint statement at the summit's conclusion. The missile test came shortly after Fiji and Australia signed a major defense treaty, marking Fiji's first-ever alliance.

Prior summit attempts to issue a statement condemning the test had failed, with individual leaders expressing alarm about the region's militarization. China claimed the test was conducted safely, and the annual forum has been overshadowed by China's objections to Taiwan's participation. Taiwan denies Beijing's sovereignty claims and insists the island's people should decide their future.

Tensions between Beijing and Taipei dominated the summit, with some Pacific leaders absent, raising concerns about the meeting's outcome. New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed suspicion about potential foreign interference in leaders' absences, though he did not accuse China directly. China's foreign ministry spokesperson dismissed Peters' comments as unfounded.