FIJI has acknowledged advance notification from China before a missile was fired into the Pacific region on Monday.
China claimed this was part of a scheduled military training exercise, not directed at any Pacific country and posed no security threat to the region.
The exercise – the test launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile carrying a dummy warhead – took place the same day Australia and China signed a new peace and security agreement.
Partnerships between Australia, Vanuatu and Fiji concluded over the past week as Pacific nations pivot away from defence and policing arrangements with China.
Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade said Fiji remained firmly committed to the vision of the Pacific as an “Ocean of Peace”, where dialogue, transparency, mutual respect and adherence to international law underpinned regional security and prosperity.
It also reaffirmed Fiji’s support for the Rarotonga Treaty and said it respects development cooperation in the Pacific region.
The ministry said it would continue to engage constructively with all partners in advancing Fiji’s foreign policy priorities while supporting a peaceful, stable and secure Blue Pacific region.
Beijing said the exercise complied with international law, was not directed at any country and that relevant countries had been notified in advance.
The launch drew concern from Australia, New Zealand and Japan, which described it as a destabilising development for the region.
