Pacific Islands Forum rebukes China’s missile test
- Admin
- 6 minutes ago
- 2 min read
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
The Pacific Islands Forum has reproached China for its recent test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile that soared across the South Pacific, breaking the deadlock over how the region should respond to Beijing’s aggression.
Capping their five-day meeting in Palau, Forum leaders “registered concern”
over China’s action and called for a 24-hour advance notice for any missile test “in accordance with international practice.”
“Leaders emphasized the importance of all states conducting ICBM tests to do so consistently with the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration, Treaty of Rarotonga and in respect of the sovereignty of Forum,” reads the Forum’s joint communique issued at the conclusion of the meeting on Sept. 4.
Naeoro begged off signing on to the joint statement. Kiribati's President Taneti Maamau skipped this year's meeting.
During the Pacific foreign ministers’ forum in Fiji on Aug. 7, both Naeoro and Kiribati declined to take part in condemning China’s July 7 missile test, hence the prior lack of a unified regional position.
Naeoro and Kiribati are both former Taiwan allies that later switched to Beijing.
The leaders’ meeting in Palau, Aug. 31 to Sept. 4, was marred by tensions stemming from China’s displeasure with Taiwan’s participation in the regional gathering.
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., the forum’s new chair, pushed for a collective stance against China’s missile test, among other security challenges facing the region, including “geopolitical tensions, transnational organized crime, climate change, economic disruption and emerging strategic risks.”
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In the joint communiqué, the Forum “reaffirmed the Boe Declaration
on Regional Security and the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration
as the region's principal frameworks to advance a comprehensive and
people-centered approach to peace and security.”
“Leaders endorsed the Regional Peace and Security Action Plan 2026-2030 to advance regional peace and security priorities and emphasized the importance of Member-led implementation that is responsive to differing national circumstances and capacities, appropriately prioritized, and adequately resourced,” the document reads.
