Treaty of Rarotonga
Coverage of Treaty of Rarotonga in the Nexus archive.
- Chinese ballistic missile test is said to undermine nuclear weapons-free zone in South Pacific
China conducted a submarine-launched ballistic missile test over the South Pacific, a region designated as a nuclear weapons-free zone under the Treaty of Rarotonga. While the test did not technically violate the treaty's text due to a non-nuclear dummy warhead, Pacific nations and analysts accused China of undermining the zone's spirit. New Zealand and Australia raised concerns, citing growing pressure from nuclear-armed states on such zones.
- China launches rare submarine ballistic missile as Pacific allies strengthen defense ties before NATO summit
China launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile with a dummy warhead from a nuclear-powered submarine during a routine training exercise, highlighting its growing sea-based nuclear capabilities. The launch occurred as U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific strengthen defense ties and ahead of a NATO summit addressing China's strategic challenges, with New Zealand noting the missile landed in the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone.
- China test-launches a ballistic missile in a South Pacific nuclear-free zone
China test-launched a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine in the South Pacific nuclear-free zone, drawing protests from Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. The launch, which occurred on the same day Australia and Fiji signed a mutual defense treaty, complied with international law but raised regional security concerns.