The Pacific Islands Forum says China’s ballistic missile test has raised regional concerns after the missile travelled over the exclusive economic zones of several Forum member countries.
The issue was raised during a media conference following the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting last Friday, with questions over why the Forum has yet to issue a collective statement.
Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa said the missile’s trajectory over multiple Pacific countries is recognised as a serious regional issue.
“The importance, the seriousness of the test and how the trajectory that went, the missile went over several Forum member countries’ airspace. That is true.”
Waqa said individual Forum members have already issued strong statements on the missile test.
However, he said reaching a collective regional position has been more difficult because the Forum operates on consensus.
He said all members must agree before a statement can be issued.
“What we’re trying to do here is a combined voice. And that is very, very difficult.”
The missile test has highlighted concerns over the vulnerability of Pacific countries to military activity carried out beyond their borders but within the region.
Waqa said the Forum must balance those concerns with the individual positions of its 18 members.
He rejected suggestions that consensus allows one country to hijack the Forum’s position, saying the process is designed to ensure every member has a voice.
“We combine our voice, so it becomes louder. If we don’t all agree, then it’s no go.”
The Secretary General said discussions are continuing on how best to present a united Pacific position on the missile test.
He said the Forum is still working towards a collective statement that reflects the concerns of all member countries.
Meanwhile, Fiji’s vision of the Pacific as an Ocean of Peace is gaining strong backing from Australia amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong says Australia fully supports the initiative under its bilateral framework to safeguard peace, security and stability across the region.
Wong said that Pacific Island countries must work together as the region faces increasingly contested and uncertain times.
“PIF leaders, Pacific Island Forum leaders, then adopted it, and we have chosen to work within that framework for the alliance between Australia and Fiji. I describe this alliance; you know, alliances are the greatest act of trust between two countries. They are the greatest act of trust.”
Wong says the Australia-Fiji alliance is based on trust, mutual respect and a recognition that both countries matter to each other.
PIF Secretary-General Baron Waqa said Pacific leaders remain committed to maintaining peace and strengthening regionalism across the Pacific.
Australia hopes to discuss the Ocean of Peace vision with Pacific Islands Forum leaders and outline its commitments to the initiative.
