Pacific Nations Raise Concerns Over China's Latest Missile Test, Seek Advance Warning

Pacific island leaders have expressed concern over China’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile test after the missile travelled across the Pacific without sufficient advance warning to several countries in the region. The concern was included in a final communique issued after the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting. Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., who hosted the gathering, said leaders had raised concerns about the ICBM test and its flight over several member states without adequate notification. They called on all countries conducting such tests to follow international practices on transparency and provide at least 24 hours advance notice.

Nauru was the only Pacific nation to distance itself from the statement, according to Whipps. The full communique had not been publicly released at the time. Although China was not directly named, the statement was widely understood to refer to Beijings recent missile test, which had already prompted criticism from several Pacific countries. The issue had previously exposed divisions within the Pacific Islands Forum. Foreign ministers meeting in Fiji last month failed to reach agreement on a joint response after Kiribati and Nauru declined to support a proposed statement criticising the test. Palau and Australia had been among those pushing for stronger language, particularly over Chinas decision to provide little advance warning.

Whipps said Pacific countries needed to maintain a united position when dealing with major powers. He argued that a common regional voice would help encourage Beijing to respect the sovereignty of Pacific nations, improve transparency and act as a responsible partner in the region. China rejected the criticism. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun accused Palau of attempting to influence other Pacific Islands Forum members and said Beijing would not allow such efforts to succeed.

The disagreement has also sparked a debate over whether Chinas missile test should be compared with US military testing in the Pacific. Kiribatis leader had previously argued that criticising China alone would be unfair because the United States also conducts missile tests in the region, including around the Marshall Islands. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected that comparison, saying the circumstances were different. He pointed to the advance notice and agreements associated with US testing and contrasted them with Chinas submarine-launched missile test, which was conducted with very limited warning and travelled across the Pacific before landing near Tuvalu.

Australia has previously raised similar concerns with Beijing. Canberra complained about Chinas lack of notification during live-fire naval exercises in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand in February 2025. The latest dispute comes as the Pacific becomes an increasingly important area of strategic competition between China, the United States and Australia. Beijings growing ties with Pacific island countries, including its 2022 security agreement with the Solomon Islands, have intensified concerns about the regions changing security landscape.

Despite the growing geopolitical rivalry, Pacific leaders continue to emphasise that climate change remains the regions most serious long-term challenge. Whipps and Albanese made the comments while attending the opening of an expanded solar power facility in Palau that was funded by Australia. The missile controversy nevertheless underlines the difficult position facing Pacific island nations. As major powers expand their military and diplomatic activities in the region, Pacific governments are increasingly seeking greater transparency and assurances that their sovereignty and security interests will be respected.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Bloomberg.