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🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

Palau calls for unified Pacific response to China missile test

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
  • President Surangel Whipps said Pacific countries needed a unified response after China test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile in July without notifying most regional states.
  • The Pacific Islands Forum had not issued a formal response as its summit in Palau concluded, while officials worked on a joint communique.
  • The summit also faced tensions over Taiwan’s participation and the absence of several leaders, with some officials citing possible foreign interference.

Palau President Surangel Whipps wants the Pacific to speak with one voice after China test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile in July and, he said, failed to properly inform the region.

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.

· Surangel WhippsPalau’s president called for a common regional response to China’s missile test.

The missile appeared to land in an area of ocean between Solomon Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu, according to monitors. Whipps said Beijing had “threatened and really disrespected” Pacific countries by conducting the test without telling them what was happening. China described the launch as “a routine arrangement of China’s annual military training” and said relevant countries had been informed in advance.

The 18-member Pacific Islands Forum had not issued a formal response by the final day of its summit in Palau. Leaders were due to attend a retreat where officials expected to settle the wording of a joint communique. Whipps said a unified Pacific position should press Beijing to respect sovereignty, improve transparency and act as a responsible partner.

I think that’s the message that we should be sending to Beijing. So it’s important we have a unified position and we’ll work on that.

· Surangel WhippsWhipps explained why Pacific leaders should coordinate their response.

The summit carried added tension because Palau invited Taiwan, its diplomatic ally, to side events as an aid partner. China’s Pacific envoy, Qian Bo, warned of “consequences” after Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung attended the opening ceremony.

They never bothered to tell us that that’s what’s happening.

· Surangel WhippsHe criticized China for not notifying Palau about the missile test.

Several leaders skipped the 2026 forum or sent lower-ranking ministers. Kiribati’s pro-Beijing president had already said he would not attend. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said it would defy logic to dismiss foreign interference as a serious issue. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale left Palau on Aug. 30 after a no-confidence motion was lodged against him, amid his pledge to review a security pact with Beijing and improve ties with the United States and Australia.

Well, you’d be defying gravity and logic if you said it wasn’t a big problem.

· Winston PetersNew Zealand’s foreign minister addressed concerns about possible foreign interference at the forum.
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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