Pacific Island nations have condemned China’s recent submarine-launched ballistic missile test, which landed in a remote area of the central Pacific Ocean, sparking concerns over regional security and respect for the shared maritime environment.

The missile, equipped with a dummy warhead and capable of carrying nuclear weapons, was fired on Monday and reportedly landed in international waters situated between the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Nauru, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands. Although this area lies outside any individual EEZ, Pacific leaders criticized the test for occurring in what they refer to as the “blue continent”—a term reflecting the Pacific Ocean’s central place in their collective identity and stewardship.

China defended the exercise, stating that the test was neither aimed at any country nor in violation of international law. However, many Pacific Island states, including those with significant economic ties to Beijing, expressed strong disapproval. Palau President Surangel Whipps emphasized that the missile landed “right between our EEZs” and decried the lack of prior notification. Similarly, Kiribati government minister Ruth Cross Kwansing highlighted the fundamental importance of the “Blue Pacific” concept, underscoring the deep connection island nations maintain with their surrounding seas as integral to their identity and livelihood.

The Pacific Islands Forum, a regional bloc comprising 18 member countries managing vast maritime areas covering about 25 million square kilometers, was engaged with China through recent diplomatic meetings and aid contributions ahead of the test. Nevertheless, the missile launch was not disclosed to regional leaders beforehand, raising concerns over transparency and respect for the forum’s role.

Experts noted that while international maritime law does not explicitly forbid missile tests in international waters, the choice of location was questioned. Oliver Nobetau, director of the Pacific Islands program at the Lowy Institute, pointed to alternative testing sites further north with fewer proximity concerns for island states. He added that the test vividly illustrated China’s expanding military reach and provided a stark indication of how conflict might unfold in the region.

The missile test also reignited memories of the Pacific’s fraught history with nuclear weapons. Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape called for an end to such tests in Pacific waters, extending the appeal to all military actors. The Marshall Islands, once subjected to extensive US nuclear detonations and current ballistic missile tests under a defense agreement, reflected on their historical scars, with former President Hilda Heine criticizing China’s actions in that context. European powers including France and Britain also conducted nuclear tests in the region during the 20th century.

The issue of missile testing and regional security will be a central focus at next month’s annual meeting of Pacific Island leaders in Palau, hosted by President Whipps. Analysts and officials stress that the region remains haunted by wartime legacies and nuclear contamination, seeking to uphold principles established in a recent “Ocean of Peace” declaration aimed at keeping the Pacific free from nuclear weapons testing and militarization.

Anna Naupa, a Pacific security expert at the Australian National University, noted that the test’s timing and lack of consultation undermined trust, and reinforced island states’ commitment to protecting their ocean territory from becoming a theater for power projection or conflict escalation.