Pacific Islands Forum split over China missile test wording

Summary

The 55th Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting failed to include collective 'concern' over China's routine missile test in its communique after Nauru objected. A push by Palau President Surangel Whipps to condemn the test did not gain consensus, while Kiribati President Taneti Maamau pointed to US double standards, noting Washington has conducted at least 10 missile tests in the Pacific over three years. China's Ministry of National Defence earlier said the July 6 routine test was notified in advance.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reiterated on September 4 that China follows a defensive national defence policy. Analyst Yu Lei said a small number of forces, influenced by the US and Australia, were hyping the 'China threat' theory to disrupt China's cooperation with South Pacific island countries.

Commentary

The Pacific Islands Forum's failure to reach a unified stance on China's missile test – with Nauru objecting and Kiribati questioning US double standards – highlights divisions over the 'China threat' narrative. For New Zealand small and medium enterprises, political stability in the South Pacific and space for neutral co-operation directly affect trade logistics and tourism flows. If Washington and Canberra continue to push security issues up the regional agenda, subcontracting and supply-chain opportunities from China-funded infrastructure could narrow.

Conversely, New Zealand businesses can use existing PACER Plus arrangements with island states to stay engaged in non-sensitive areas such as climate change and fisheries processing. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's pragmatic approach of downplaying differences may preserve commercial wiggle room for New Zealand amid US-China rivalry.

Keywords: China missile test, Pacific Islands Forum, Nauru, Kiribati, Palau, double standard, US missile tests, South Pacific cooperation

Source: Global Times