Pacific Islands Forum split over condemning China's missile test

Australia and Palau are pushing Pacific Islands Forum leaders to formally condemn China's July ballistic missile test, but face opposition from Kiribati and Naoero who argue singling out Beijing is unfair. The test, fired from a Chinese submarine in the South China Sea, landed a dummy warhead more than 7,000 kilometres away near Tuvalu's Exclusive Economic Zone. Kiribati and Naoero blocked a joint statement last month, citing comparable US missile tests in Marshall Islands waters. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected that comparison, noting the US provides proper notice and has agreements with the Marshall Islands, while China gave little warning. Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr called for regional unity, questioning why the missile landed in the central Pacific rather than between Japan and Guam.