China has carried out a test of a long-range ballistic missile, sending it into the Pacific Ocean with a dummy warhead. The launch happened only hours after Australia and Fiji signed a major new defence agreement.
Chinese officials described the missile launch as a routine military exercise that is part of the country’s annual training programme. They said it was not aimed at any country and should not be considered a threat. However, several countries in the Indo-Pacific reacted with concern. Australia, Japan and New Zealand said the launch could increase tensions in the region.
Australia’s Defence Minister, Richard Marles, said China informed Canberra about the launch a few hours before it happened. Even so, he said Australia remains worried about actions that could affect peace and stability in the Pacific.
China also notified several other governments, including Japan, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, before carrying out the test. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, called the launch an unwelcome and worrying development. He said his government plans to discuss the issue with other Pacific nations.
Japan also expressed concern. Officials said China provided them with approximately 90 minutes’ notice before launching the missile. Tokyo urged Beijing to avoid actions that could raise regional tensions.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning defended the exercise. She said the test was safe, professional and carried out according to plan. She also asked other countries not to overreact.
The launch came as Australia strengthened its security ties with Fiji by signing the Ocean of Peace Alliance. The agreement is Fiji’s first defence treaty and Australia’s fourth security partnership in the Pacific.
Under the deal, Australia will invest more than A$1 billion over the next 10 years. The funding will support policing, infrastructure, healthcare and efforts to fight cross-border crime in Fiji. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the agreement as one of the country’s most important partnerships in the Pacific. Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said it marked a new chapter in relations between the two nations. Rabuka also said the treaty should not harm Fiji’s relationship with China.
Australia has recently signed a similar agreement with Vanuatu and is continuing talks with the Solomon Islands as it works to strengthen partnerships across the Pacific while responding to China’s growing regional influence.
