Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo has condemned China’s recent launch of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean, saying it goes against the region’s long-standing commitment to peace, security and a nuclear-free Pacific.
“I share the same grave and serious concern and disappointment of other Pacific leaders for the recent launch of a Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile into the Pacific Ocean by China,” Prime Minister Teo said.
“The Pacific region has long advocated for peace, security, and freedom from nuclear threats.”
He said the missile launch comes as Pacific Island countries are reaffirming “their collective vision of the Pacific as a region of peace, security, and cooperation” under the Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration adopted by Pacific Leaders in Honiara in September 2025.
Prime Minister Teo said the launch is also inconsistent with the region’s commitment to a nuclear-free Pacific.
“The launch is also contrary to the objectives and aspirations of Pacific countries for a nuclear free Blue Pacific Continent pursuant to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (or the Rarotonga Treaty) that Tuvalu is a party to.”
The Tuvalu leader joined other Pacific leaders in calling on military powers to respect the region’s commitment to peace.
“As a leader of one of the smaller island countries in the Pacific, I join the call of other Pacific Leaders on all countries with military capabilities to respect our collective determination for the Blue Pacific Continent to be defined by peace, cooperation, and stewardship and not by militarisation and strategic competition amongst the major powers, and for those superpowers to refrain from using the Pacific Ocean as a testing ground for their military arsenals,” he said.
