China on Monday successfully test-fired a long-range missile from a ​nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific, sparking widespread condemnation from world leaders concerned about Beijing’s intensifying military activity in the region. The missile carrying a dummy warhead, was launched from a nuclear-powered submarine at 12:01 p.m. local time (12:01 a.m. ET), according to Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency. The missile landed precisely within the designated waters, the agency further said but did not providing details on the location or exact type of projectile.&nbsp;The launch was called a "routine arrangement" of China's annual military training by Xinhua that also said it was not directed against any specific country or target.&nbsp;<h2>Australia, New Zealand call test 'Destabilising to region’</h2>&nbsp;The test comes just after Australia signed a defence agreement with Fiji in which both the countries would come ⁠to the other’s aid in the event of an attack.&nbsp;After the missile was test fired by China, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said they were notified by China about the planned ​test, but described the launch as "destabilising" for the region.“Australia has been clear that this proposal, this proposed test, is in the context of a rapid military build-up by China, which is lacking in the transparency and reassurance as to intent, that the region expects,” said Wong.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-india-exit-chabahar-why-the-port-still-matters-1783324803099">Did India exit Chabahar? Why the port still matters</a>&nbsp;New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters also raised concerns saying, "New Zealand considers this an unwelcome and concerning development. We, like our neighbours in other Pacific countries, have no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing site for missile capability," he said.&nbsp;Beijing and Western powers along with the US. and Australia have been jostling for years to take control in the strategically located island nation. China too has been trying to expand its economic and security influence across the South Pacific.&nbsp;China does not test fire missiles often. The last time it had conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile test was in ⁠2024 to show its increasing military capabilities.&nbsp;

The launch was called a routine arrangement of Chinas annual military training by Xinhua, Chinas state-run news agency, that also said it was not directed against any specific country or target.

China on Monday successfully test-fired a long-range missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific, sparking widespread condemnation from world leaders concerned about Beijing’s intensifying military activity in the region. The missile carrying a dummy warhead, was launched from a nuclear-powered submarine at 12:01 p.m. local time (12:01 a.m. ET), according to Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency. The missile landed precisely within the designated waters, the agency further said but did not providing details on the location or exact type of projectile. The launch was called a "routine arrangement" of China's annual military training by Xinhua that also said it was not directed against any specific country or target. Australia, New Zealand call test 'Destabilising to region’ The test comes just after Australia signed a defence agreement with Fiji in which both the countries would come ⁠to the other’s aid in the event of an attack. After the missile was test fired by China, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said they were notified by China about the planned test, but described the launch as "destabilising" for the region. “Australia has been clear that this proposal, this proposed test, is in the context of a rapid military build-up by China, which is lacking in the transparency and reassurance as to intent, that the region expects,” said Wong. ALSO READ: Did India exit Chabahar? Why the port still matters New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters also raised concerns saying, "New Zealand considers this an unwelcome and concerning development. We, like our neighbours in other Pacific countries, have no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing site for missile capability," he said. Beijing and Western powers along with the US. and Australia have been jostling for years to take control in the strategically located island nation. China too has been trying to expand its economic and security influence across the South Pacific. China does not test fire missiles often. The last time it had conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile test was in ⁠2024 to show its increasing military capabilities.

The launch was called a "routine arrangement" of China's annual military training by Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency, that also said it was not directed against any specific country or target.

'Destabilising to region’: China test fires long-range missile in South Pacific, alarms regional powers

The scientists in the South Pacific captured rare footage of a deep sea-hooked squid. The squid was seen wrapping its arm around a sinking camera it had mistaken for a prey.

Rare bright bioluminescent squid filmed by scientists

Violence has erupted in New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the South Pacific after France's National Assembly approved changes to voting rules in the Pacific island. Watch this video for all details.

France declares emergency in New Caledonia, territory on the boil

Amid growing China's influence in the Pacific, the United States has decided to counter China by promising a new Pacific initiative. Pacific Islands Forum meeting is scheduled for next month.

Countering China's influence in the Pacific: The US promises a new Pacific initiative

A new battle is brewing in the South Pacific. A battle to control 8 island nations. China is trying to buy their loyalties, US & allies are trying to retain their influence. Why is this region strategically important? What is the turf war all about? Palki Sharma decodes.

Gravitas Plus: The turf war in South Pacific

The Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met his specific counterparts in a crucial meeting in the Fijian capital Suva. This is an attempt by China to try and encourage the countries to sign up to sweeping economic and security deals with Beijing that will help that will help the Xi Jinping administration to get a stronger foothold in the pacific region.

China chairs South Pacific islands meet, seeks big deal

Beijing is all set to expand in South Pacific region but China's expansion plan is troubling West and that has now led to an Australia vs China fight in Oceania. Australia has now warned Pacific nations against Beijing deals.

South Pacific: Australia warns Pacific nations against Beijing deals

US, Australia & allies counter China as it steadily builds influence in the South Pacific

Beijing is all set to expand in South Pacific region but China's expansion plan is troubling West and that has now led to an Australia vs China fight in Oceania.

South Pacific: After Solomon Islands, China signs security pact with Samoa

China is all set to dramatically expand its footprint in the South Pacific. With its latest five-year deal with the Asian nation, it is offering security and economic cooperation to ten islands of the region

China's 5-yr-plan for 10 Pacific islands

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in the Solomon Islands Thursday at the start of an eight-nation tour. Wang is also planning to make stops in Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and East Timor. His trip will conclude on June 4.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on 8-nation tour in South Pacific

Vendée Globe Sailing Race is currently underway and on Friday few of the sailors had the company of the school of Dolphins alongside boats in the South Pacific.

Vendée Globe Race: School of Dolphins keep solo sailors company

Vendée Globe Race: Dolphins swim alongside boats in the South Pacific

One person was killed in Fiji and one is missing as tropical cyclone Sarai battered the South Pacific nation with strong wind and heavy rain, authorities said on Sunday. The Fiji National Disaster Management Office said one person was in intensive care and more than 2,500 people had moved to 70 evacuation centers. #Fizi #CycloneSarai #TropicalCyclone

2 killed & over 2500 people evacuated after tropical cyclone 'Sarai' hits Fiji

US intermediate-range&nbsp;missiles&nbsp;will not be deployed in&nbsp;Australia,&nbsp;Prime&nbsp;Minister&nbsp;Scott Morrison said on Monday, after<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-not-stand-idly-if-us-deploys-missiles-in-asia-warns-china-240969"> the United States revealed ambitions to site&nbsp;missiles</a>&nbsp;in the Asia-Pacific region.

Officials from both governments held talks in Sydney over the weekend that ended with a joint statement in which the two allies pledged to strengthen opposition to Chinese activities in Asia-Pacific, as both sides have become increasingly concerned about China's spreading influence.

During the talks,&nbsp;US Defense Secretary Mark Esper spoke of hopes to deploy&nbsp;missiles&nbsp;in the Asia-Pacific region in the coming months following Washington's withdrawal from a landmark arms control treaty last week.

Esper's comments prompted speculation that&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;had been asked to&nbsp;host&nbsp;the&nbsp;missiles, but Morrison denied that any request had been made and said&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;would decline if it was asked in the future.

"It's not been asked to us, not being considered, not been put to us. I think I the rule a line under that," Morrison told reporters in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland.

A recent increase in tensions between Washington and Beijing, both over trade and rights of navigation in both the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, has put&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;in an awkward spot, as the United States is its biggest ally, while China is its biggest export market.

Beijing last week described&nbsp;Australian efforts to improve the bilateral relationship as "unsatisfactory".

Australia&nbsp;worries China is using foreign aid to secure greater influence over small Pacific countries which control vast swathes of resource-rich ocean.

Australia, traditionally the major power in the South Pacific, has promised up to A$3 billion ($2.03 billion) in grants and cheap loans to counter what Washington describes as China's "payday loan diplomacy".

US intermediate-range missiles will not be deployed in Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, after the United States revealed ambitions to site missiles in the Asia-Pacific region.

US intermediate-range missiles will not be deployed in Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, after the United States revealed ambitions to site missiles in the Asia-Pacific region. Officials from both governments held talks in Sydney over the weekend that ended with a joint statement in which the two allies pledged to strengthen opposition to Chinese activities in Asia-Pacific, as both sides have become increasingly concerned about China's spreading influence. During the talks, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper spoke of hopes to deploy missiles in the Asia-Pacific region in the coming months following Washington's withdrawal from a landmark arms control treaty last week. Esper's comments prompted speculation that Australia had been asked to host the missiles, but Morrison denied that any request had been made and said Australia would decline if it was asked in the future. "It's not been asked to us, not being considered, not been put to us. I think I the rule a line under that," Morrison told reporters in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland. A recent increase in tensions between Washington and Beijing, both over trade and rights of navigation in both the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, has put Australia in an awkward spot, as the United States is its biggest ally, while China is its biggest export market. Beijing last week described Australian efforts to improve the bilateral relationship as "unsatisfactory". Australia worries China is using foreign aid to secure greater influence over small Pacific countries which control vast swathes of resource-rich ocean. Australia, traditionally the major power in the South Pacific, has promised up to A$3 billion ($2.03 billion) in grants and cheap loans to counter what Washington describes as China's "payday loan diplomacy".

Australia won't host US missiles: PM Scott Morrison

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres launched a brief South Pacific tour in New Zealand Sunday, warning the world was "not on track" to limiting global temperature rises.

In a strong message for action on climate change, Guterres said international political resolve was fading and it was the small island nations that were "really in the front line" and would suffer most.

His visit, ahead of the Climate Action Summit in September in New York will also take him to Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu which are under threat from rising sea levels.&nbsp;

"We are seeing everywhere a clear demonstration that we are not on track to achieve the objectives defined in the Paris agreement," Guterres said on the failure to limit rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial revolution levels.&nbsp;

"And the paradox is, that as things are getting worse on the ground, political moves seem to be fading," he added in the joint press conference in Auckland with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

However, he did excuse New Zealand from his accusation, describing Wellington's leadership as "extremely important" after it introduced legislation to become carbon neutral by 2050, although greenhouse gas emissions from its economically vital agricultural sector will not have to meet the commitment.&nbsp;

Ardern called climate change "the biggest challenge" facing the international community and said it would be "gross negligence" to avoid the issue.&nbsp;

During his three days in New Zealand, Guterres will also meet with Muslim leaders in Christchurch to show solidarity following the March 15 massacre in which 51 people were killed by a lone gunman who attacked two mosques during Friday prayers.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres launched a brief South Pacific tour in New Zealand Sunday, warning the world was "not on track" to limiting global temperature rises.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres launched a brief South Pacific tour in New Zealand Sunday, warning the world was "not on track" to limiting global temperature rises. In a strong message for action on climate change, Guterres said international political resolve was fading and it was the small island nations that were "really in the front line" and would suffer most. His visit, ahead of the Climate Action Summit in September in New York will also take him to Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu which are under threat from rising sea levels. "We are seeing everywhere a clear demonstration that we are not on track to achieve the objectives defined in the Paris agreement," Guterres said on the failure to limit rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial revolution levels. "And the paradox is, that as things are getting worse on the ground, political moves seem to be fading," he added in the joint press conference in Auckland with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. However, he did excuse New Zealand from his accusation, describing Wellington's leadership as "extremely important" after it introduced legislation to become carbon neutral by 2050, although greenhouse gas emissions from its economically vital agricultural sector will not have to meet the commitment. Ardern called climate change "the biggest challenge" facing the international community and said it would be "gross negligence" to avoid the issue. During his three days in New Zealand, Guterres will also meet with Muslim leaders in Christchurch to show solidarity following the March 15 massacre in which 51 people were killed by a lone gunman who attacked two mosques during Friday prayers.

World 'not on track' with climate change: UN chief Antonio Guterres

Inside a Chinese-funded facility perched on a steep hill overlooking Port Moresby's sparkling harbour, Papua New Guinea's best table tennis players are honing techniques picked up months earlier on a sponsored trip to Shanghai.

China's backing is helping the sport, also known as ping-pong, establish an unlikely foothold in the Pacific nation better known for its love-affair with rugby league.

Although the number of Papua New Guinea (PNG) enthusiasts is small, table tennis' prestige is on the rise. Its governing organisation believes its players could soon start qualifying for the Olympics, a rarity in the South Pacific and a first for table tennis in PNG.

PNG's top players were also given the opportunity to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on his trip to Port Moresby in November - a visit marked by open hostility between China and the United States over their competing ambitions for the region.

In a PNG newspaper editorial just before his visit, Xi wrote of his goal to "write a new chapter in people-to-people friendship", providing sport as an example.

The wrap-around effort from China's head of state, officials, businesses, and sports stars is part of a soft power push that represents the next phase of Xi's hallmark Belt and Road programme at a time when Western nations are trading barbs with China over its growing clout in the Pacific.

"They're all trying to implement the policies and the goals (of) President Xi Jinping," said George Shao, a Port Moresby-based Chinese businessman and president of the PNG Table Tennis Federation. "It's a...platform to improve peoples' relationship from the two countries...we are connected together."

Much of China's connection to the South Pacific to date has been through large-scale infrastructure projects that have resulted in hefty debt burdens to the mostly small and poor island nations.

PNG holds the largest debt to China in the South Pacific, at almost $590 million, largely for infrastructure projects such as roads, stadiums, university buildings and fish processing plants.

The West has raised concerns that PNG's debt burden makes it vulnerable to political influence from Beijing. Last month, the United States and Australia pledged to build a naval base in PNG, shutting out a rival Chinese proposal over fears the facility could one day host Chinese military vessels in the strategically important area.

"They're 'softening' it with efforts such as the ping-pong diplomacy," said Stanley Rosen, an expert in Chinese politics at the University of Southern California's US-China Institute. "Soft power will be increasingly used in the Pacific."

SOFT POWER PUSH

Almost 50 years ago, China and the United States used "ping-pong diplomacy" to help mend relations, with an exchange of players clearing the way for US&nbsp;President Richard Nixon to visit China in 1972.

Along with table tennis, China is also ramping up Mandarin language classrooms and university scholarships around the South Pacific. Beijing has also purchased radio frequencies in the region and has deployed a Navy hospital ship to provide medical treatment, including traditional Chinese medicine.

Still, table tennis is unlikely to ever overtake rugby league in a country where locals pour onto fields to play in the evenings and where violence between passionate supporters of rival teams sometimes breaks out.

In a training centre provided by a Chinese developer, PNG's national players slip off their flip flops and leave them beneath tables on a specialist bright red sports floor, both donated by sports equipment firm Shanghai Double Happiness.

The players have also received grants from the Chinese embassy for tables and are in talks to see whether it will fund a full-time Chinese coach, as it does in Vanuatu.

Members of the national team are sent to China before big international competitions for weeks of training, funded by Chinese local governments and training institutions.

"Shanghai is a nice place so when I heard that we were going to Shanghai I was very happy, excited to go," said Geoffrey Loi, an 18-year-old high school student who is seen as PNG's best chance at a place in the Paris Olympics in 2024. "They have the best training facilities and the best coach...we learned a lot of things."

Numbers are still small, with around 20 players on the national team and about 300 taking part in competitions, but experts say it provides a foothold in the battle for hearts and minds.

"At least China starts somewhere by...engaging with ordinary citizens," said Teddy Winn, a politics academic at the University of Papua New Guinea.

Rea Loi, the team's coach and Geoffrey's father, said he was proud of how far his sport had come with the support of China.

"There are famous sports in Papua New Guinea, greater sports...but no other sports were involved, who got to meet President Xi Jinping, only table tennis."

Inside a Chinese-funded facility perched on a steep hill overlooking Port Moresby's sparkling harbour, Papua New Guinea's best table tennis players are honing techniques picked up months earlier on a sponsored trip to Shanghai.

Inside a Chinese-funded facility perched on a steep hill overlooking Port Moresby's sparkling harbour, Papua New Guinea's best table tennis players are honing techniques picked up months earlier on a sponsored trip to Shanghai. China's backing is helping the sport, also known as ping-pong, establish an unlikely foothold in the Pacific nation better known for its love-affair with rugby league. Although the number of Papua New Guinea (PNG) enthusiasts is small, table tennis' prestige is on the rise. Its governing organisation believes its players could soon start qualifying for the Olympics, a rarity in the South Pacific and a first for table tennis in PNG. PNG's top players were also given the opportunity to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on his trip to Port Moresby in November - a visit marked by open hostility between China and the United States over their competing ambitions for the region. In a PNG newspaper editorial just before his visit, Xi wrote of his goal to "write a new chapter in people-to-people friendship", providing sport as an example. The wrap-around effort from China's head of state, officials, businesses, and sports stars is part of a soft power push that represents the next phase of Xi's hallmark Belt and Road programme at a time when Western nations are trading barbs with China over its growing clout in the Pacific. "They're all trying to implement the policies and the goals (of) President Xi Jinping," said George Shao, a Port Moresby-based Chinese businessman and president of the PNG Table Tennis Federation. "It's a...platform to improve peoples' relationship from the two countries...we are connected together." Much of China's connection to the South Pacific to date has been through large-scale infrastructure projects that have resulted in hefty debt burdens to the mostly small and poor island nations. PNG holds the largest debt to China in the South Pacific, at almost $590 million, largely for infrastructure projects such as roads, stadiums, university buildings and fish processing plants. The West has raised concerns that PNG's debt burden makes it vulnerable to political influence from Beijing. Last month, the United States and Australia pledged to build a naval base in PNG, shutting out a rival Chinese proposal over fears the facility could one day host Chinese military vessels in the strategically important area. "They're 'softening' it with efforts such as the ping-pong diplomacy," said Stanley Rosen, an expert in Chinese politics at the University of Southern California's US-China Institute. "Soft power will be increasingly used in the Pacific." SOFT POWER PUSH Almost 50 years ago, China and the United States used "ping-pong diplomacy" to help mend relations, with an exchange of players clearing the way for US President Richard Nixon to visit China in 1972. Along with table tennis, China is also ramping up Mandarin language classrooms and university scholarships around the South Pacific. Beijing has also purchased radio frequencies in the region and has deployed a Navy hospital ship to provide medical treatment, including traditional Chinese medicine. Still, table tennis is unlikely to ever overtake rugby league in a country where locals pour onto fields to play in the evenings and where violence between passionate supporters of rival teams sometimes breaks out. In a training centre provided by a Chinese developer, PNG's national players slip off their flip flops and leave them beneath tables on a specialist bright red sports floor, both donated by sports equipment firm Shanghai Double Happiness. The players have also received grants from the Chinese embassy for tables and are in talks to see whether it will fund a full-time Chinese coach, as it does in Vanuatu. Members of the national team are sent to China before big international competitions for weeks of training, funded by Chinese local governments and training institutions. "Shanghai is a nice place so when I heard that we were going to Shanghai I was very happy, excited to go," said Geoffrey Loi, an 18-year-old high school student who is seen as PNG's best chance at a place in the Paris Olympics in 2024. "They have the best training facilities and the best coach...we learned a lot of things." Numbers are still small, with around 20 players on the national team and about 300 taking part in competitions, but experts say it provides a foothold in the battle for hearts and minds. "At least China starts somewhere by...engaging with ordinary citizens," said Teddy Winn, a politics academic at the University of Papua New Guinea. Rea Loi, the team's coach and Geoffrey's father, said he was proud of how far his sport had come with the support of China. "There are famous sports in Papua New Guinea, greater sports...but no other sports were involved, who got to meet President Xi Jinping, only table tennis."

Fifty years on, China uses 'ping-pong diplomacy' in South Pacific

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