Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Pacific Forum Chair Seeks Unity Over China Missile Test
Pacific leaders met to discuss problems affecting their region.
Palau’s president, Surangel Whipps Jr., wanted the group to speak together about China’s missile test.
He said Pacific countries should protect their homes and sovereignty.
China said the test was conducted safely.
China also accused Palau of making the issue seem bigger than it was.
The meeting was affected by disagreement over whether Taiwan should attend.
Palau supports Taiwan’s participation, but China says Taiwan should not be there.
Several leaders sent ministers instead of attending themselves, raising concerns about the meeting’s result.
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. urged the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum to condemn China’s July ballistic missile test.
Whipps said a unified Pacific voice could promote sovereignty, transparency, and responsible regional conduct.
Pacific foreign ministers failed last month to agree on a statement condemning the launch, despite concerns about militarisation.
China said the test was safe and accused Palau of exaggerating the issue and manipulating other members’ positions.
The summit was also divided over Taiwan’s participation, while several Pacific leaders sent lower-ranking ministers instead of attending.
- Who
- Surangel Whipps Jr., Pacific Islands Forum members, China, Taiwan, and other regional leaders.
- What
- The forum considered whether to issue a united response, potentially condemning China’s July ballistic missile test.
- When
- The summit’s final day was Thursday, September 3; the missile test occurred in July.
- Where
- At the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Palau and in the Pacific region.
- Why
- Whipps said a unified voice was needed to encourage 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 urged a unified Pacific response and hoped the forum would condemn the test, citing concerns about threats, sovereignty, transparency, and regional militarisation.
China’s Positions
China said the test was conducted safely, denied military expansion, and accused Palau of using hype and attempting to manipulate other forum members.
Taiwan’s participation
Pacific and Taiwan Positions
Palau supports Taiwan’s presence at the summit and maintains official diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Taiwan says only its people can decide the island’s future.
China’s Positions
China said Taiwan was not qualified to attend, claims the island as its territory, and objects to Taiwan’s participation.
Leaders’ absences and foreign interference
Pacific and Taiwan Positions
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he was highly suspicious that foreign interference might have contributed to some leaders’ absences.
China’s Positions
China’s foreign ministry said Peters’ comments were unfounded.
- Forum membership
- The Pacific Islands Forum has 18 member nations.
- Missile test
- China conducted a ballistic missile test in the Pacific in July.
- Previous known launch
- The test was described as China’s first known Pacific launch since September 2024.
- Earlier diplomatic effort
- Pacific foreign ministers failed in August to agree on a statement condemning the test.
- China’s response
- China said the test was conducted safely and denied engaging in military expansion.
- Palau’s position
- Palau hosted the summit and is one of three Pacific island countries with official diplomatic ties to Taiwan.
- Attendance concerns
- The leaders of Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, and Kiribati sent lower-ranking ministers instead.