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🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

Pacific Summit Backs Concern Over China Missile Test Despite Nauru Dissent

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Named sources Ongoing story
  • Pacific Islands Forum leaders called for greater transparency and advance notice from countries conducting intercontinental ballistic missile tests after China’s July launch.
  • Nauru dissented from the position, while Palau pressed for a formal condemnation and Beijing accused Palau of creating “hype.”
  • The summit also faced disputes over Taiwan’s participation and the absence of five Pacific leaders.

Pacific leaders have expressed concern over China’s intercontinental ballistic missile test, but the position came with a formal dissent from Nauru. The disagreement exposed the diplomatic tensions running through the annual Pacific Islands Forum summit.

Leaders called on all states undertaking ICBM testing to ensure transparency and reassurance, including through the provision of advance notification of a test at least 24 hours in accordance with international practice.

· Surangel Whipps Jr.The Palau president described the position adopted by Pacific leaders after China’s missile test.

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., who hosted the meeting, said China’s July test passed over several island nations without adequate warning. He said leaders called on all countries conducting ICBM tests to provide transparency and reassurance, including at least 24 hours’ advance notice in line with international practice.

Whipps noted that Nauru had dissented. The island nation re-established diplomatic ties with China in 2024 and has previously switched recognition between Beijing and Taipei. Palau, one of the three Pacific Island countries that still maintains official relations with Taiwan, had pushed for the group to formally condemn the test.

Perfectly reasonable for the vast majority of Pacific countries to express a view and for one or two to say that they have a different view.

· Chris BowenThe Australian energy minister defended the summit’s position despite Nauru’s dissent.

Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the vast majority of Pacific countries could express a strong view even without unanimity. Beijing rejected Palau’s position, accusing it of stirring “hype” over the missile test and saying its attempts to influence other Pacific island nations were “malicious and will not succeed.”

Hype

· ChinaBeijing used the term to criticize Palau’s emphasis on the missile test.

The summit was also overshadowed by China’s objection to Taiwan’s participation. Beijing said Taiwan was not qualified to attend, while Taiwan rejects China’s claim that the democratically governed island is Chinese territory. Five Pacific leaders were absent and sent lower-ranking ministers instead. New Zealand will host the next leaders’ summit in 2027.

Malicious and will not succeed.

· ChinaBeijing described Palau’s efforts to influence other Pacific island nations.
About this summary

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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