China’s missile test is a hypocritical affront to this nation

July 7, 2026 — 7:30pm

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At midday on Monday a Chinese submarine launched a nuclear-capable missile carrying a dummy warhead towards “relevant high seas areas of the Pacific Ocean”. The missile plunged into the ocean about 1000 kilometres north-east of Solomon Islands.

To China, there was nothing to see here, governments should not “overinterpret” a business-as-usual moment in the development of the nation’s defences.

Other countries, viewing it through the prism of China’s ambition towards Taiwan and the broader concerns of stability in the Pacific, rightly regard the move as a provocation.

South Pacific nations have been unequivocal in their censure of China.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who yesterday was in Solomon Islands, said there was “no doubt that this is a provocative act by China, which does destabilise the region, and therefore we will put forward our strong view”.

The prime minister also castigated China for its lack of notice of the testing at only a few hours instead of the standard 48 hours. The federal opposition was of a similar view........

© The Sydney Morning Herald