Solomon Islands lodges strong protest over China's missile test

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Honiara: The Solomon Islands has formally raised a ‘strong protest’ with China over its recent submarine-launched ballistic missile test in the Pacific, calling the operation a threat to regional peace and security despite Beijing being one of its closest allies.

Prime Minister Matthew Wale stated that the government expressed its concerns directly to Chinese officials, emphasising that no country should test missiles in the Pacific Ocean. He criticised the launch for contradicting the region's long-standing aim of a ‘Ocean of Peace’ and urged greater transparency and respect for Pacific nations.

Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, and Taiwan have all criticised the missile, which was launched from a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific with a dummy warhead. Several states alleged Beijing did not offer the usual advance warning required for such tests, increasing concerns about regional stability and the potential of mistake.

China has described the launch as a standard military training operation performed in accordance with international law, claiming that proper notifications were provided. However, Pacific leaders contend that the test has raised security worries and reignited calls for tighter regional regulations prohibiting missile testing in the Pacific.