World

China denies seeking 'sphere of influence' in Pacific

By AAP Newswire

Jul 14, 2026

A Chinese ballistic missile during a test in the South Pacific — China's missile test in the Pacific drew criticism from the region, including the Solomon Islands. -AP

China "has no geopolitical intentions and does not seek a so-called 'sphere of influence'" in ‌its dealings with Pacific island nations, Foreign Minister Wang Yi ‌has told his counterpart from the Solomon Islands in Beijing.

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China's co-operation with the Solomon Islands "comes with no political strings attached" and was not forcibly imposed, Wang told Rick Houenipwela, an official summary released by China's foreign ministry ‌showed on Tuesday.

Pacific ‌island ⁠nations were independent and sovereign nations, "not someone's 'backyard'", Wang said, adding that China's ties with these nations "should not be subject to interference from any third party".

The meeting came a week after China's military test-fired a missile with ⁠a dummy warhead ‌from a nuclear-powered submarine into the South Pacific, which drew criticism from regional countries, ‌including the Solomon Islands.

The test fire coincided with the signing of a mutual defence pact between Fiji and Australia.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale said China wais "a good friend of Solomon ‌Islands but this is not something a friend does" when asked about the missile test, while vowing stronger ties with Australia.

China was willing to enhance co-operation with the Solomon Islands including in green energy, healthcare and climate change, ⁠Wang said on Tuesday.