Marshall Islands criticises China Pacific missile test

Marshall Islands has criticised China’s ballistic missile test in the Pacific, citing its history as a former US nuclear test ground.

A Chinese submarine test-fired a missile carrying a dummy warhead on Monday. Monitors said the rocket appeared to land in an area of ocean between Solomon Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu.

Beijing has said the test was routine and that countries should not overinterpret it.

Marshall Islands, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan, joined other Pacific Island states in expressing concern late Wednesday.

The office of President Hilda Heine called on China to explain its intentions clearly. It said that, although the missile reportedly carried a dummy warhead, no country understood the weight of nuclear testing in Pacific waters better than Marshall Islands.

The United States conducted 67 nuclear detonations in the Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1958, when the islands were a US territory. Heine’s office said the population still lives with the consequences of those tests.

Marshall Islands became independent in 1986 and continues to have a defence compact with the United States that allows missile tests on its territory.