Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed strong concern on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, over China's recent test of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile in the South Pacific, describing the launch as "destabilising." She raised the issue directly with her Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a meeting in Manila on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian ministers' gathering.

The missile, fired earlier this month from a Chinese submarine and fitted with a dummy warhead, reportedly traveled deep into the Pacific Ocean, with monitors indicating it landed in waters between the Solomon Islands, Nauru, and Tuvalu. Australia and a dozen Pacific Island nations have criticized the test for violating the region's desire to remain free of nuclear weapons testing. Australia also noted it had not received sufficient prior notice of the missile launch.

Wong emphasized the importance of all countries, including great powers, adhering to international law, particularly the law of the sea, to maintain regional stability. Her remarks followed a recent clash between Philippine and Chinese sailors at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, an incident in which a Philippine sailor was allegedly struck on the head with a baton. Wong reiterated Australia's "real concerns about behaviour that is destabilising and risky" in that context.

In a show of support for regional security, Wong announced a donation valued at 413 million pesos (approximately US$6.7 million) of advanced drone technology and operator training to the Philippine Coast Guard during a visit to a Philippine coast guard vessel on Tuesday.

These developments come amid ongoing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region involving China, the Philippines, Australia, and Pacific Island nations.

Sources