Pacific Island foreign ministers are gathering to debate a joint statement on China’s recent missile launch into the Pacific. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated that the talks will test whether members can overcome predetermined positions on the issue.
Regional Response
China’s test-firing of a missile into the Pacific in July alarmed regional powers, but initially failed to produce a unified response from Pacific Island governments. The Solomon Islands Foreign Minister, Rick Houenipwela, emphasized the importance of regional solidarity and strong consensus in addressing the challenges confronting the region.
Peters expressed that New Zealand has been pushing for a joint statement responding to the missile test, but declined to identify countries resisting it. The debate comes after Pacific leaders last year backed an ‘Ocean of Peace’ declaration, which called for the region to remain peaceful amid intensifying strategic competition.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
