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, called for a unified front among member nations to condemn China's recent missile test in the region during the summit's final day. The summit, dominated by tensions surrounding China's relations with Taiwan, saw several Pacific leaders absent, including the prime ministers of Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands, and the president of Kiribati.

Whipps Jr. emphasized the importance of a unified Pacific voice in urging Beijing to respect sovereignty, transparency, and responsible partnership. He expressed concern over the potential threat to the region and the significance of China's first known Pacific launch since September 2024, which occurred just hours after Fiji and Australia signed a major defense treaty.

Despite a failed attempt at a joint condemnation statement at a previous foreign ministers meeting, Whipps Jr. remains hopeful of achieving consensus in the final statement, marking a crucial moment in the ongoing regional tensions.