Australia raises concerns over China’s Pacific missile test

China launched a nuclear‑capable, submarine‑launched missile that landed near Tuvalu in July, prompting strong objections from Pacific Island nations. Australia, citing the “strong concerns” expressed by countries such as New Zealand, Fiji and the Solomon Islands, raised the issue with China during a meeting between Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of ASEAN talks in Manila.

The Australian government has concurrently stepped up diplomatic activity across the Pacific, signing the Ocean of Peace Alliance defence pact with Fiji and a separate security‑development agreement backed by more than US$1 billion of Australian spending. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the importance of these agreements for regional stability while urging China to respect Pacific security and provide greater transparency on its military actions.