China tests long-range missile in South Pacific in move Australia condemns as ‘destabilising to region’

Launch comes just hours after Australia and Fiji sign defence agreement as expert says timing not a coincidence

China has conducted a long-range missile test in the South Pacific just hours after Australia signed a defence agreement with Fiji, sparking condemnation from Canberra and regional leaders.

The Australian foreign minister, Penny Wong, said the missile test was “destabilising” to the region while her New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters, described it as “deeply concerning”.