3 hrs ago
Pacific Leaders Seek Unity After China Missile Test
Pacific countries held a meeting about shared regional issues.
The meeting’s chair, Surangel Whipps Jr., wanted the countries to speak together about a Chinese missile test.
He said the Pacific should be safe and that countries should respect one another.
China said the missile test was carried out safely.
The countries had not previously agreed on a statement condemning the launch.
China also objected to Taiwan attending the meeting.
Taiwan says its future should be decided by its own people.
Some leaders did not attend in person, which raised concerns about the meeting’s strength.
Pacific Islands Forum chair Surangel Whipps Jr. urged members to develop a unified response to China’s missile test.
Whipps hoped the forum’s 18 nations would condemn the July ballistic missile launch in a joint statement.
A Pacific foreign ministers’ meeting last month failed to agree on a condemnation, although leaders voiced concern about regional militarisation.
The summit was also overshadowed by China’s objections to Taiwan’s participation, while Palau supports Taiwan’s attendance.
Several Pacific leaders sent lower-ranking ministers, prompting concerns about the summit’s outcome and speculation about possible foreign interference.
- Who
- Surangel Whipps Jr., chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and president of Palau, and leaders of the forum’s member nations.
- What
- Whipps urged a united Pacific position, potentially including condemnation of China’s July ballistic missile test.
- Where
- At the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Palau and the wider Pacific region.
- When
- On Thursday, September 3, the final day of the summit; the missile test took place in July.
- Why
- Whipps said a unified voice was needed to promote respect for sovereignty, transparency, and responsible regional conduct.
Pacific and Taiwan Positions
China’s Positions
Missile test and regional security
Pacific and Taiwan Positions
Whipps said Pacific countries should unite to defend sovereignty, transparency, and regional security, and he hoped they would condemn the missile test.
China’s Positions
China said the missile test was conducted safely.
Taiwan’s summit participation
Pacific and Taiwan Positions
Palau hosted the summit and is one of three Pacific island countries with official diplomatic ties to Taiwan. Taiwan says only the island’s people can decide its future.
China’s Positions
China said Taiwan was not qualified to attend the summit and claims the island as its own territory.
Possible foreign influence
Pacific and Taiwan Positions
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed suspicion that foreign interference might be connected to some leaders’ absences.
China’s Positions
China’s foreign ministry said Peters’ comments were unfounded.
Key facts
- Forum membership
- The Pacific Islands Forum has 18 member nations.
- Missile test
- China conducted a ballistic missile test in the Pacific in July.
- Previous launch
- The test was described as China’s first known Pacific launch since September 2024.
- Earlier diplomatic effort
- Pacific foreign ministers failed last month to agree on a statement condemning the test.
- China’s position
- China said the missile test was conducted safely.
- Taiwan’s participation
- China objected to Taiwan attending the summit, while Palau is one of three Pacific island countries with official diplomatic ties to Taiwan.
- Attendance concerns
- The prime ministers of Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands, along with Kiribati’s president, sent lower-ranking ministers instead.
Quotes
Surangel Whipps Jr.
Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and president of Palau
“That’s definitely something that we’ll be discussing today, and a unified Pacific voice is critical in getting Beijing to respect sovereignty, to respect transparency, and to be a responsible partner”
theprint.in
“We don’t want our backyard, our homes, to be threatened and really disrespected.”
theprint.in
Sources
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