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Chris Bowen has called a joint statement about China’s missile test “strong” despite it not referring to the nation by name.

One of the biggest talking points of this week’s Pacific Islands Forum been the lack of a regional response to China’s nuclear-capable inter-continental ballistic missile test in July, as AAP reports.

I think that leaders in the Pacific were deeply concerned: one, that a missile test was done without permission of the countries whose airspace had travelled through, and two, that there was no notice of the said missile test. So I think it’s both. It is a concern about sovereignty and safety, and one that Australia fully backs.


It’s a pretty strong statement, Sally, and one that Australia played a role in crafting.

That would be a huge relief to the loved ones of these two Australians who’ve been located, but we still have very serious concerns for the 36 Australians that we haven’t been able to be located yet.