BY NED GAGAHE & IRWIN ANGIKI
Prime Minister Matthew Wale has delivered his strongest public criticism yet of China’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, saying that “friends don’t threaten friends” and confirming Solomon Islands has lodged a formal diplomatic protest.
China has brushed aside concerns saying ‘there is no need’ for countries to ‘over-interpret’ the missile launch which it said was only ‘routine military training exercise’.
Speaking during a press conference alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Honiara yesterday, Mr Wale said the missile launch was unacceptable and raises serious concerns across the Pacific.
“China’s a good friend of Solomon Islands, but this is not something a friend does,” Wale said.
“This is not good in our region and as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum I’ve registered my strong protest yesterday with the Ambassador. Solomon Islands also lodged a protest note.”
Wale said the Pacific should not become a testing ground for any country’s long-range weapons, regardless of who was responsible.
“We don’t want to see any more countries—China, America, anybody—we don’t want anybody testing the ICBMs in the Pacific Islands region,” he said.
“That’s the bottom line. Be our friend, but don’t threaten us.”
Wale said the missile test also highlighted the need for stronger regional cooperation on security and intelligence sharing.
He said the incident reinforces his call for a regional security platform that will enable Pacific Island countries to speak with one voice on issues affecting the region’s peace and stability.
Australia also criticised the missile launch, with Prime Minister Albanese describing it as a “provocative act” that undermined peace and security in the Pacific.
He said Australia conveyed its concerns directly to Beijing, noting that the launch of a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile without the customary advance notice was deeply concerning.
Prime Minister Albanese also condemned the missile launch, saying Australia’s concern extends beyond the lack of advance notice.
“Part of our concern here isn’t just the lack of notice that occurred. It is the fact that this was a test of a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile fired from a nuclear-powered submarine,” Mr Albanese said.
“That is of real concern because what we need is less nuclear weapons, certainly not more.”
He said the missile has the capability to strike targets over long distances and can cause significant destruction if weaponised.
“The fact that this test took place yesterday with very little notice is of real concern,” he said.
“We’ll continue to advocate strongly. Our position on nuclear weapons has been very clear and consistent for a long period of time.”
Earlier, Mr Albanese described the missile launch as a “provocative act” that undermined peace, security and stability in the Pacific, saying Australia had already conveyed its concerns directly to Beijing.
Meanwhile, China’s embassy in Honiara when sought for comments conveyed a statement by the country’s foreign affairs ministry.
“The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy’s test launch of a strategic missile by a submarine was a routine military training exercise.
“It was not targeted at any specific country or target. China notified Solomon Islands, other Pacific Island Countries and other relevant countries in advance, which is in line with international law and international practice.
“The launch activity was conducted in a safe, standardized and professional manner throughout.
“China adheres to the path of peaceful development and upholds a nuclear strategy of self-defence.
“China has always kept its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security.
“There is no need for the countries concerned to overinterpret this.”
On Monday, July 6, around 3pm Solomon time, China’s military successfully test-fired a long-range strategic ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean.
It was launched from a nuclear-powered strategic submarine in the South China Sea. The Guardian reported it is believed the weapon used was the JL-3, China’s most advanced submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).
The missile carried a dummy warhead and travelled over 11,000 kilometres directly over the Philippines, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, and Kiribati before splashing down into the high seas close to the waters of Tuvalu and Kiribati.
The missile test has been described as China’s reaction to the security treaty between Australia and Fiji, signed just few hours before.
The coincidental timing of the missile test, its strategic messaging and geopolitical rivalry between Australia and China have defined how the missile test has been interpreted.
China launched a similar ICBM test to Pacific waters in September 2024.
Photo: Supplied
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