China Tests Long-Range Missile Just As Australia-Fiji Make Defence Deal, Pacific Nations On Edge

Published 6 July 2026 · india

China Tests Long-Range Missile Just As Australia-Fiji Make Defence Deal, Pacific Nations On Edge Published By, Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 21:10 IST China test-launched

China Tests Long-Range Missile Just As Australia-Fiji Make Defence Deal, Pacific Nations On Edge Published By, Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 21:10 IST China test-launched a long-range missile just as Australians and Fijians were formalising a defence deal. Pacific nations are on edge as they say China is building up its military. Rapid Read China has test launched a long-range ballistic missile just when Australia signed a defence deal with Fiji (Image source: Reuters) The People’s Republic of China has test-launched a long-range ballistic missile with a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean. This came soon after Australia and Fiji signed a new defence pact. The launch angered neighbouring countries Japan, New Zealand, and Australia, according to a report by BBC. Chinese authorities called it a “routine part of China’s annual military programme". Australian authorities, on the other hand, accused China of “destabilising" the region. However, even the Australian officials said they do not believe the test is a response to its new security agreement.

To counter the growing influence of China and its military expansion in the region, Australia has, in recent years, signed several defence ties with its Pacific neighbours. Defence Minister of Australia, Richard Marles, said that Beijing informed them only hours before they conducted their missile test. Australia is “very concerned about any actions which undermine the stability, the peace, and security of the Pacific," he said. Governments across the Indo-Pacific region, including New Zealand, Japan and Papua New Guinea, were informed by Chinese officials of their military’s intention to conduct sea-based drills on Monday. Reacting on the incident, Foreign Minister of New Zealand, Winston Peters called the test an “unwelcome and concerning development". He said that this issue will be discussed with the other Pacific partners of his country. When Japan was informed by China about its plan, 90 minutes before it began, the Japanese “strongly urged" their larger neighbour to reconsider.

The test came two years after the last one, Beijing said. They also said that it was “not directed at any specific country or target". “The related launch activity was conducted in a safe, regulated, and professional manner, and we hope that certain countries will refrain from overinterpreting them," said Mao Ning, China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, after the launch on Monday. However, these tests risk “destabilising" the region, said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, “in the context of a rapid military build-up by China". Wong made these comments in Suva, which is the capital of Fiji. She made these comments after their defence treaty – Ocean of Peace Alliance – was formalised. This treaty is Australia’s fourth in a series. It comes after similar treaties being signed with the United States, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Though, this Fiji’s first defence treaty. Australia’s government will also spend over $1 billion in a decade to back up this treaty.