Prime Minister Criticises China’s Missile Test
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly condemned a recent ballistic missile test conducted by China, calling it “destabilising and provocative.” This criticism was echoed by the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, who described the act as “not the act of a friend.”
The nuclear-capable missile, launched from a submarine, flew over several Pacific nations and is believed to have landed near the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Tuvalu. While China referred to the launch as “routine,” both Australia and New Zealand expressed strong disapproval.
During a meeting in Honiara with the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Matthew Wale, Mr. Albanese emphasized that Australia has directly raised concerns with China. He stated:
“We have made clear our concerns to China in both Beijing and Canberra, and I am making clear our concerns here as well in Honiara. We don’t want to see any action that is destabilising, or which undermines the peace, security and stability of the Pacific and the region. And there is no doubt that this is a provocative act which does destabilise the region.”
Mr. Albanese also pointed out that such tests typically come with 48 hours’ notice, which was not provided by China.
Solomon Islands Leader Condemns the Test
Mr. Wale, who is the current chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, was the first Pacific leader to publicly criticise the missile test. He said:
“China is a good friend of the Solomon Islands, but this is not something a friend does. This is not good in our region. As chair of the Pacific Islands Forum I have registered my strong protest yesterday with the ambassador. Solomon Islands also lodged a protest note. We don’t want to see any more countries — China, America, anybody — testing [intercontinental ballistic missiles] in the Pacific Islands region, that’s the bottom line. Be our friend, but don’t threaten us.”
Missile Demonstrates Significant Range Capability
The missile test, which occurred overnight, was highlighted by Joseph Wu, head of Taiwan’s national security council, who shared an image on social media showing the missile’s trajectory across Micronesia and Melanesia before it plunged into the ocean approximately 1,000 kilometres north-east of the Solomon Islands.
Mr. Wu, a long-time critic of China, called the test “a provocation that destabilises the Indo-Pacific,” adding, “China just proved itself again to be a bully on the block.”
According to reports, the missile, equipped with a dummy warhead, passed over the EEZs of at least three Pacific island states, including the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, and Kiribati. It landed closest to the EEZs of Tuvalu and Kiribati, about 1,000km north-east of the Solomon Islands, possibly even within Tuvalu’s EEZ.
U.S. Expresses Concern Over Missile Test
The United States has also been highly critical of the missile test. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, Tommy Pigott, stated:
“At a time when the United States is working harder than ever to prevent nuclear proliferation, China is doing the opposite. Beijing’s rapid and opaque nuclear weapons build-up is of great concern to the region and the world.”
Defence Minister Comments on Missile Capabilities
Defence Minister Richard Marles did not provide specific details about the missile’s trajectory, stating it “wasn’t particularly close to Australia.” However, he highlighted the significance of the missile’s range and launch capability:
“This is a very significant capability in terms of the range that’s been demonstrated and the means by which it’s been launched from a submarine. This is a long-range missile which China itself has said would be nuclear-capable, which has been launched from a submarine, which also implies something in terms of extending China’s range to deploy nuclear weapons.”
He added that the launch was “very concerning and deeply destabilising,” emphasizing the need to maintain a peaceful Pacific.
Pacific Island Affairs Minister Highlights Transparency Issues
Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy criticized the short notice given for the missile test, noting it violated the “best practice” outlined in the Hague Convention. He stated:
“We’ve been very clear about seeing the biggest military build-up in our region since World War II, and it’s not being accompanied by sufficient transparency.”
Opposition Leaders Condemn the Launch
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor described the missile launch as “unacceptable” and urged that it be addressed at the “highest levels.” He argued that increasing defense spending is essential for maintaining peace.
Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson noted that while the test may not have been a direct response to the new alliance between Australia and Fiji, it reflects China’s broader approach to the region:
“It is consistent with the People’s Republic of China’s approach to the region, which is not only destabilising and unwelcome, but also threatening and coercive. They want to intimidate the region, and we should be very clear that we are not intimidated by it.”
