SYDNEY – The Pacific nation of Marshall Islands cited its history as a nuclear test ground as it criticised China’s ballistic missile test that landed in the Pacific Ocean.
A Chinese submarine test-fired a missile carrying a dummy warhead on Monday, with monitors saying the rocket appeared to land in a patch of ocean somewhere between Solomon Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu.
Beijing has said the test was “routine” and nations should not “overinterpret” it.
Marshall Islands, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan, joined a raft of Pacific Island states expressing concern in a statement late Wednesday.
“We call on China — as we have called on every nuclear power before it — to explain its intentions in language as clear as the harm such tests can cause,” said a statement from the office of Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine.
“Although reportedly carrying a dummy warhead, no nation understands the weight of nuclear testing in Pacific waters better than ours,” the statement added.
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 continues to live with the consequences from the tests.
Marshall Islands achieved independence in 1986, and continues to have a defence compact with the United States that allows missile tests on its territory.
