China’s test launch of a nuclear-capable missile into the Pacific damaged its standing in the region, Pacific Minister Pat Conroy says, arguing it has strengthened the case for a regional security pact within the Pacific.
On Monday, China fired the ballistic missile from a submarine and it then flew over multiple Pacific islands and appeared to hit waters close to Tuvalu’s exclusive economic zone.
China had called the launch “routine”, but Pacific leaders including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sharply criticised the test as “provocative” and “destabilising”.
Mr Conroy said the test had damaged China’s reputation as a potential security partner, pointing to criticism from leaders in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Palau, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.
“I don’t think this was conducive to China’s standing in the region,” Mr Conroy told ABC’s Insiders this morning.
Asked whether the missile test had emboldened countries in the region to pursue a regional security agreement, Mr Conroy said the incident underscored the need for Pacific-led security.
“I think it demonstrates that the Pacific security can only be provided from within the Pacific,”
he said.
“This would take a number of years if the rest of the Pacific was up for it, but ultimately it is a decision for all the Pacific leaders and we act on a consensus approach.”
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale had been seeking support for the idea ahead of a meeting of leaders of the Pacific Islands forum next month.
Mr Wale pointed to the missile test as strengthening the case for a regional security pact.
“China is a good friend of the Solomon Islands, but this is not something a friend does,” he said last week.
The missile test coincided with Mr Albanese’s diplomatic mission of the region, just hours after he signed a mutual-defence agreement with Fiji.
Conroy vague on anti-missile capability
Mr Conroy warned that conflict in the Indo-Pacific would have severe global consequences and said the region was experiencing its largest military build-up since the end of the second world war.
Pushed on whether the defence force had the capability to protect Australia from a strike like the one launched by China last week, Mr Conroy said the government was strengthening Australia’s position through diplomacy and defence resourcing.
“What we’re seeing in the region is the biggest arms race, the biggest build-up of military since 1945 and, and that is occurring without any transparency or strategic reassurance,” he said.
“This is a race where we have to make sure the Australian Defence Force has the best possible equipment.”
Mr Conroy refused to be drawn on what he described as “hypothetical” concerns about a Chinese missile reaching the Australian mainland.
“We’re prepared for a conflict in our region,” he said.
“Everyone is working very hard to avoid it.”
