SUVA — Pacific defence ministers wrapping up talks in Fiji signalled they will not rush to expand a regional military response group into civil-unrest “stabilisation” missions, while expressing “grave concern” over China’s ballistic missile test into the Blue Pacific, RNZ reported, citing ABC News.
The South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting — Australia, Chile, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga — agreed on a “phased approach,” consolidating the Pacific Response Group’s humanitarian and disaster-relief role before any stabilisation mandate. Australian Defence Force chief Adm. Mark Hammond said there must be “absolute consensus” and “due respect to sovereign constitutional processes,” noting some members face elections or recent cabinet changes.
Ministers said China’s recent ballistic missile test, conducted “without appropriate notice,” was the second such test in the region within two years and risked undermining the Pacific Islands Forum’s Ocean of Peace declaration. They used stronger language than Forum leaders adopted in Palau earlier this month.
Sources: RNZ / ABC News, The Post
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