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In a move that has been met with swift criticism from Australia and protests from New Zealand, China has successfully test-launched a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine in the South Pacific. The test comes just hours after Australia signed a defence pact with Fiji, an ally in the Pacific region.
According to Chinese authorities, the missile test was a routine exercise with a dummy warhead, and not a demonstration of military capability. However, the timing of the test has raised eyebrows in Canberra and Wellington, with Australia’s Minister for Defence stating that the move was “destabilizing” for the region.
The Australian government has long been wary of China’s military presence in the Pacific, and the signing of the defence pact with Fiji was seen as a key step in countering China’s growing influence in the region. The deal, which includes provisions for joint naval exercises and training, was finalized just hours before the Chinese missile test.
In response to the test, Australia’s Minister for Defence Peter Dutton stated that the move was a “serious escalation” of tension in the region, and called on China to provide greater transparency and cooperation on military activities in the Pacific. “This kind of activity in our region without notice is destabilizing and we urge China to respect the long-standing understandings and agreements in place,” Dutton said in a statement.
New Zealand has also expressed concerns about the test, with the country’s Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta stating that the short notice given to key regional stakeholders was “unacceptable”. “We value our relationships and partnerships in our region and we believe that open communication and transparency are essential to maintaining regional stability and security,” Mahuta said.
The test is likely to raise further concerns about China’s military ambitions in the Pacific, and its willingness to challenge long-standing regional dynamics. As one of the world’s leading economies and a dominant military power, China’s actions in the South Pacific are being watched closely by governments and analysts around the world.
The incident is the latest in a series of tensions between China and its Pacific neighbors, and has raised questions about the region’s future security architecture. As the stakes in the South Pacific continue to rise, it remains to be seen how China will respond to growing pressure from regional stakeholders to exercise greater restraint and cooperation.