Australia protests China’s ‘destabilising’ missile test

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has voiced strong concerns regarding China's recent test of a nuclear-capable missile in the South Pacific. During a meeting with her Chinese counterpart in Manila on July 22, Wong explicitly labeled the launch as "destabilising."

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We have made clear publicly and directly to China that we regard the missile test as destabilising and we... put that directly to Foreign Minister Wang Yi in my discussions (with him) yesterday.

This statement followed closely on the heels of Wong condemning China's "dangerous conduct" after a confrontation between Philippine and Chinese sailors near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. The missile, fitted with a dummy warhead, was fired by a Chinese submarine earlier in July, traveling a significant distance into the Pacific Ocean.

Wong emphasized Australia's desire for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region where all nations, including major powers, adhere to international law, particularly the law of the sea. Australia has previously stated it did not receive adequate notification of the missile test. Additionally, several Pacific Island nations have protested the launch, viewing it as a violation of the region's commitment to remaining free of nuclear weapons testing.

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We want a region which is peaceful, stable and prosperous. We want a region where countries, all powers, including great powers, observe international law and, in particular, the law of the sea.

The missile's trajectory reportedly landed in an ocean area between the Solomon Islands, Nauru, and Tuvalu. Wong also reiterated Australia's "real concerns about behaviour that is destabilising and risky" when questioned about an incident on July 20 at Second Thomas Shoal, where a Philippine sailor was allegedly struck on the head. In a separate development on July 21, Wong announced Australia's donation of drone technology and training to the Philippine Coast Guard.

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real concerns about behaviour that is destabilising and risky