3 weeks ago
China missile test pressures Pacific 'Ocean of Peace' vision
China launched a big rocket called a missile into the Pacific Ocean in July.
It was the first time China had tested a ballistic missile there since September 2024.
Just hours before the launch, Fiji signed its first ever military deal with Australia.
Many Pacific countries were worried and upset about the missile test.
Their leaders met in the city of Suva but could not agree on a shared statement.
Some countries, like Kiribati and Nauru, are friends with China and did not want to criticise it.
Island nations want the Pacific to stay an "Ocean of Peace", but they also need big countries to help them.
The competition between China and the United States is making this harder.
They will meet again soon in Palau to keep trying to keep the region peaceful.
China launched a ballistic missile into the Pacific in July, its first known test in the region since September 2024.
The launch came hours after Fiji signed a defence agreement with Australia, its first military alliance.
Pacific foreign ministers meeting in Suva failed to agree on a joint statement condemning the test.
Kiribati and Nauru, which switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing, did not back the proposed wording.
Pacific leaders are set to gather in Palau for the Pacific Islands Forum as US-China rivalry strains regional unity.
- Who
- China, Pacific island governments including Fiji, Kiribati and Nauru, and partners such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
- What
- China's ballistic-missile test in the Pacific and the failure of Pacific foreign ministers to agree on a joint response.
- Where
- The Pacific region; foreign ministers met in Suva, the US maintains facilities in Hawaii, Guam and the Marshall Islands, and the next Pacific Islands Forum is in Palau.
- When
- In July; the first known Chinese ballistic-missile test in the Pacific since September 2024.
- Why
- Rising US-China rivalry is forcing Pacific island nations to balance security partnerships with their 'Ocean of Peace' vision.
Pro-Western security alignment
China ties and regional autonomy
China's missile test
Pro-Western security alignment
Pacific governments are alarmed and see the test as a threat to the region's 'Ocean of Peace' security vision.
China ties and regional autonomy
China says the test was conducted safely and urges countries not to over-interpret the launch.
Security partnerships with outside powers
Pro-Western security alignment
Many Pacific nations rely on bigger powers for maritime surveillance, disaster relief, policing, military training and equipment, so partnerships provide practical benefits.
China ties and regional autonomy
A growing network of defence agreements could turn the Pacific into a theatre for great-power rivalry and reduce island nations' control over their waters and infrastructure.
Joint regional response
Pro-Western security alignment
Some Pacific foreign ministers sought a common statement condemning the Chinese launch to show regional unity.
China ties and regional autonomy
Kiribati and Nauru, which have strengthened diplomatic ties with Beijing, did not back the proposed wording, reflecting differing national interests.
Key facts
- Missile test
- Ballistic missile launched into the Pacific in July
- First test since
- September 2024
- Fiji-Australia defence agreement
- Signed hours before the launch; Fiji's first military alliance
- Regional response
- Pacific foreign ministers in Suva failed to agree on a joint condemnation
- Countries withholding backing
- Kiribati and Nauru
- Fiji and RIMPAC
- Fiji joined the US-led RIMPAC exercises for the first time last month
- Ocean of Peace Declaration
- Endorsed by Pacific leaders less than a year ago
- Next forum
- Pacific Islands Forum in Palau in the coming weeks
Sources
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