Solomon Islands strongly protests China's missile test, urges friendship not threats

(Central News Agency, Sydney, July 7, Foreign Dispatch) Solomon Islands Prime Minister Wale today, in his capacity as Chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum, lodged a "strong protest" with Chinese diplomats over China's recent missile test in the Pacific; he also emphasized, "This is not how friends behave."

According to Agence France-Presse, Wale (Matthew Wale) said today that he had lodged a "strong protest" with Chinese diplomats on behalf of the concerned Pacific nations over China's recent missile test.

Wale emphasized, "China is a good friend of the Solomon Islands, but this is not how friends behave."

China yesterday test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from a nuclear-powered submarine in the Pacific, with the impact point in the Pacific. Observers described the missile as a long-range missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

China's missile test has been widely condemned by Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, but smaller Pacific island nations have so far avoided making any comments.

The Pacific Islands Forum is the highest-level political organization in the region. Wale said that as Chairman of the Forum, he had expressed a strong protest to Chinese diplomats.

Wale told reporters in the capital Honiara, "The Solomon Islands has submitted a formal protest."

Wale's criticism is particularly noteworthy, as the Solomon Islands has been one of China's closest partners in the South Pacific for many years.

Wale said, "We do not want anyone to test intercontinental ballistic missiles in the Pacific region," "Be our friend, but do not threaten us."

Monitors said the missile appeared to have landed near the Solomon Islands, which signed a secret security agreement with China in 2022.

Since being elected Prime Minister earlier this year, Wale's attitude towards Beijing has cooled slightly, and he has pledged to review the security agreement with China. (Compiled by Qu Xiangping) 1150707

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