Overview:
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has condemned China’s recent ballistic missile test over the South Pacific, describing the launch of a nuclear-capable missile as “unacceptable” and “incredibly unwelcome.” The missile’s flight path crossed several Pacific nations’ Exclusive Economic Zones, reigniting regional concerns over militarisation in a region that has long championed its nuclear-free identity.
WELLINGTON, 08 JULY 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says it’s unacceptable China has tested nuclear-capable weapons in the Pacific, and the government’s expressed its concerns directly.
On Monday, China test-launched a long-range ballistic missile with a dummy warhead.
The missile flew over the Exclusive Economic Zones of the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Tuvalu and Kiribati, and landed in waters near Tuvalu and Kiribati.
Luxon said that was unacceptable, unwelcome and concerning.
“This is an intercontinental ballistic missile test, the second that we’ve seen in recent years, having not had one in the region for 40 years, from China,” he said.
“We are living in a region that is proudly nuclear free … we don’t want to see increasing militarisation in our region.”
China’s activity was legal, but inconsistent with Pacific values and the region would strongly push back against it, Luxon said.
“We have expressed our concerns [with China] very directly and very clearly,” he said.
The missile firing came shortly after a new defence treaty was signed between Australia and Fiji on Monday.
Luxon said he had spoken with both countries’ Prime Ministers about the agreement and Cabinet was discussing whether New Zealand might join it.
Cabinet was very interested in exploring participation but there was a way to go yet, given it had only just been signed, Luxon said…. PACNEWS
