Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers have failed to reach consensus on a joint regional statement over China’s ballistic missile test in the Pacific, exposing the difficulty of maintaining a united Pacific position on growing geopolitical and security pressures.

The issue dominated questions at the conclusion of the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in Suva, where journalists pressed the Forum leadership on why no strong statement had been issued following China’s 6th July missile launch.

The long-range missile, launched from a Chinese submarine with a dummy warhead, travelled over the Pacific and landed in waters near Tuvalu’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

The launch came just hours after Fiji and Australia signed their landmark Vuvale Union and Ocean of Peace Alliance agreements in Suva.

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa confirmed that the missile issue was discussed by ministers, but a collective statement could not be finalised.

He rejected suggestions that any country had blocked the statement.

Waqa said the Forum’s statements must be collective and agreed to by all members, adding that ministers had differing views on whether the response should specifically address China’s missile test or take a broader approach covering missile tests in the Pacific.

“There’s no blocking,” Waqa said.

He said countries had put forward their sovereign positions and ministers were working through those differences according to the Pacific Way of dialogue and consensus.

PIFS Deputy Secretary General Esala Natasha said ministers had agreed that a statement was needed, but had given officials more time to negotiate the wording before the issue is taken to Pacific leaders in Palau.

She stressed that the missile statement was not the only matter still under negotiation.

The clarification comes amid reports that Kiribati and Nauru had not supported a proposed joint position, with both countries having strengthened diplomatic ties with China in recent years.

At the press conference, the Forum Foreign Ministers Meetinf Chair, Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Rick Houenipwela, stressed that Pacific unity does not mean every member must hold the same position.

He said the Pacific Way requires countries to listen to each other’s national circumstances and perspectives and work towards positions reflecting the collective interests of the region.

That principle may now face its biggest test when Pacific leaders meet in Palau.