KOROR, Palau — Pacific Islands Forum members on Thursday called for at least 24 hours’ notice before intercontinental ballistic missile tests after China launched a missile into international waters near several Pacific nations in July.
The forum included the call in a summit communique agreed to by 17 of its 18 members. Naoero, formerly known as Nauru, did not support the statement.
Palau President Surangel Whipps read the communique during a late-night news conference at the Pacific leaders’ summit in Koror.
The statement expressed concern over China’s July intercontinental ballistic missile test, which passed over several forum members without what leaders considered adequate notice.
The leaders called on countries conducting such tests to provide advance information of at least 24 hours in line with international practice.
China gave only a small number of countries advance notice before the July launch. The missile traveled over the Pacific and landed in international waters near Tuvalu and Naoero.
The launch drew criticism from Pacific nations that have opposed nuclear testing in the region and have designated their waters as a nuclear-free zone.
China said the launch formed part of its annual military training and that it had notified relevant countries in advance.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun accused Palau on Thursday of using the issue to influence other Pacific Islands Forum members.
“Palau has repeatedly hyped the issue, maliciously hijacking the positions of other Pacific Islands Forum member countries. This scheme will not succeed,” Guo said at a news conference in Beijing before the forum issued its statement.
Whipps said the forum’s position emphasized the need for greater transparency.
“I think the message from the forum is clear, transparency needs to happen,” he said.
Palau and Australia also distinguished China’s missile test from US ballistic missile tests conducted in the Pacific under a defense agreement with the Marshall Islands. Their leaders said the United States provides adequate advance notice for its tests.
Tensions between China and Taiwan also surfaced during the summit. Palau invited Taiwan, one of its diplomatic allies, to participate as an aid partner. China and the United States also took part in forum activities alongside other non-Pacific countries.
China objected to Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung’s attendance at the opening ceremony. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory, while Taiwan maintains its own government and diplomatic relations with a small number of countries.
China’s Pacific envoy Qian Bo warned Monday that Taiwan’s participation would have “consequences.”
Taiwan responded that its presence in the Pacific prevents China from gaining greater control over the region.
The tensions competed for attention with the forum’s agenda on climate change and transnational crime.
Australia pledged AU$600 million ($432 million) to expand satellite and drone surveillance aimed at tracking and intercepting “narco subs” transporting methamphetamine and cocaine through Pacific waters.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape also raised concerns over new US visa bond requirements for Pacific citizens traveling to the United States during a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
Landau pledged $60 million to strengthen fuel security in Pacific island nations amid higher prices linked to the Middle East crisis.
At the summit’s closing ceremony, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa said the region faced significant challenges but had demonstrated its ability to work collectively.