Key facts
- China conducted its first known ballistic-missile test into the Pacific since September 2024.
- The test occurred shortly after Fiji and Australia signed a defence treaty.
- Pacific Island foreign ministers could not reach a consensus on a statement condemning the missile test.
- Some leaders expressed alarm over the growing militarisation of the region.
- The region is a site of increasing influence competition between the U.S. and China.
China's recent test of a nuclear-capable missile into the Pacific has exposed divisions among regional leaders regarding the increasing militarisation of the area. The launch, which occurred just hours after Fiji and Australia signed a significant defence treaty, has amplified concerns about major power rivalry in a region striving to be an "Ocean of Peace."
Despite individual leaders expressing alarm, Pacific Island foreign ministers were unable to agree on a collective statement condemning Beijing's missile test. Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko described the test as "totally inappropriate," while acknowledging China as a close ally. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated the test was conducted "safely" and urged against over-interpretation.
The missile test capped a period of heightened military activity in the Pacific, a region fiercely contested for influence by the U.S. and China. This includes Chinese naval deployments, U.S.-allied exercises, and increased warship visits linked to expanding security partnerships. The U.S. maintains a substantial military presence across the region.
Pacific countries have historically sought to define their own security agenda, independent of external powers' Indo-Pacific strategies, as exemplified by the "Ocean of Peace" initiative. However, the proliferation of bilateral security pacts, such as the Australia-Fiji defence agreement, raises concerns among critics about further militarisation and a potential loss of agency for smaller island nations.
Disagreements over the response to China's missile test emerged during talks chaired by Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Rick Houenipwela. Kiribati and Nauru, nations that have strengthened ties with Beijing, reportedly did not support the proposed statement's wording. New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters attributed the failure to reach consensus to foreign influence.
The impasse highlights the diverse economic, political, and security interests among Pacific nations. Some governments in the northern Pacific, where the U.S. has a long-standing military presence, desire deeper security engagement, while others remain cautious. Fiji's Foreign Minister Sakiasi Ditoka noted the tension between wanting to be free of military "paraphernalia" and recognizing the need for security capabilities, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance.