7 July 2026, 10:19am
Missile test in South Pacific ‘routine’ and ‘consistent with international law’, China insists
RNZ Parliamentary reporters
China insists a missile test it carried out in the South Pacific was a routine arrangement and consistent with international law
While a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said, “we hope relevant countries will not read too much into it”, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters described the launch as being “at odds with the spirit and intent” of the Pacific
On Monday, China test-launched a long-range ballistic missile with a dummy warhead
The ABC is reporting the missile flew over the Exclusive Economic Zones of the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, and Kiribati, and landed about 1000 kilometres north-east of Solomon Islands
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a press conference in Beijing the test was a “routine arrangement” in China’s annual military training programme
“It is consistent with international law and customary international practice and is not directed at any specific country or target,” she said
The missile firing came shortly after a new defence treaty was signed between Australia and Fiji
Asked by AFP whether she had any response to the criticism from countries like New Zealand, Japan, and Australia, Mao repeated her earlier comment, but added the countries concerned were informed prior to the launch
“The whole process was safe, standard and professional. We hope relevant countries will not read too much into it.”
But on Monday, Peters said while New Zealand had been informed, China carried out the test “within hours”
Peters said the Pacific was an Ocean of Peace, and the launch was “not consistent” with regional stability and peace in the South Pacific
“This missile was fired into the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone established by the Treaty of Rarotonga. China’s action goes against the object and intent of that Treaty.”
RNZ understands the missile test warning from China was delivered to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials by Chinese embassy officials in Wellington and likewise, in Beijing, New Zealand’s defence attaché was notified by Chinese counterparts
Upon receiving the warning, New Zealand immediately relayed its concerns to both the embassy in Wellington and officials in Beijing
However, the test went ahead a short time later
Peters is in Singapore and flies to Japan later on Tuesday
He will meet with Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Friday, where the China missile testing is expected to be front and centre of their talks
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the test was unwelcome
“That’s a very concerning development. We want to see the Pacific stay an ocean of peace, and China’s testing of their ballistic missile capability in the Pacific is very unwelcome.”
7 July 2026, 10:19am
