Australia has expressed concern over China’s recent test of a nuclear-capable missile in the South Pacific. The concern was raised by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during a meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Manila on Tuesday. The missile, launched earlier this month from a Chinese submarine, carried a dummy warhead and traveled a long distance across the Pacific, according to AFP.
During the meeting, Wong emphasized the importance of safe and professional military conduct, transparency, and confidence-building regarding military intentions. Australia had earlier stated that it was not given sufficient prior information about the test. Nearly a dozen Pacific island nations also condemned the launch, saying it contradicted their goal of maintaining the region as a nuclear-free zone.
Observers believe the missile landed in a sea area between the Solomon Islands, Nauru, and Tuvalu, though the exact location was not confirmed.