‘Respect Our Region’: Pacific Leaders React to Beijing’s Missile Test

After firing a missile to within 700 kilometres of French Polynesia, Beijing has now invited a delegation from the small Pacific nation on a state visit.

Military vehicles carry China's DF-41 nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles in a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2019. GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images

Beijing’s missile test has been met with shock and concern from Pacific nation leaders, who were not informed ahead of the launch.

The intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), fired on Sept. 25, was reported to have landed in the ocean some 700 kilometres (435 miles) away from French Polynesia’s Marquesas Islands, outside its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).