Chinese ballistic missile test is said to undermine nuclear weapons-free zone in South Pacific

China's SLBM test over the South Pacific violates the spirit of the Rarotonga Treaty and signals expanding PLA power projection capability into Australia's strategic neighbourhood, including toward Taiwan. This demonstrates China's willingness to challenge regional norms and undermines the security architecture of Australia's Pacific Island partners, fragmenting the Indo-Pacific balance and increasing pressure on Australia to deepen security commitments to vulnerable neighbours.