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China strategic missile launch near Tuvalu strains Pacific unity

China said it warned relevant countries in advance, but some Pacific governments criticized a short notification period.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Trade & Tariffs

Pacific island nations are grappling with how to respond to China’s recent strategic missile launch near Tuvalu, while trying to preserve their stated vision of the region as an “ocean of peace,” according to analysts cited by SCMP Economy.

China said on July 6 that one of its nuclear submarines conducted a “strategic missile” launch with a dummy warhead toward “relevant high seas of the Pacific Ocean,” calling the test routine annual military training conducted under international law and not directed at any specific country or target.

Beijing also said it had notified relevant countries in advance, but the warning did little to ease concerns among Pacific governments and partners, with some criticizing the short lead time.

The piece notes that the Pacific has long been cautious about missile testing due to the many nuclear tests conducted by the US, UK, and France in the latter half of the 20th century.

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