China’s missile test exposes lack of unity among Pacific island nations
A recent Chinese missile test near Pacific island nations has exposed divisions within the Pacific Islands Forum regarding how to respond to Beijing's military activities. While some nations have criticized the test, others maintain strong bilateral ties with China, complicating a unified regional stance.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the intensifying geopolitical competition in the Pacific and the difficulty small island nations face in maintaining regional unity against major powers.
Pacific island nations are facing a security challenge in responding to China’s recent missile launch near Tuvalu and keeping their vision of a region as an “ocean of peace”, as analysts say the diverse nature of their ties with Beijing is complicating efforts towards a united response.
On July 6, China said one of its navy’s nuclear submarines launched a “strategic missile” carrying a dummy warhead towards “relevant high seas of the Pacific Ocean”, describing the test as routine annual military training that complied with international law and was “not directed at any specific country or target”.
Beijing said it had notified relevant countries in advance. Still, the move did little to ease the concerns of Pacific governments and partners, with some criticising the short warning period.
The missile appeared to have landed near the exclusive economic zones of Tuvalu and Kiribati, 1,000km (621 miles) northeast of the Solomon Islands.
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