Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has called on all military powers to respect the Pacific as an Ocean of Peace, following China’s test launch of a strategic ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into international waters in the South Pacific.

Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea respects the sovereignty of all nations and recognises the rights of states to operate in accordance with international law. However, he stressed that the Pacific Ocean should never again become a theatre for military competition, weapons testing or activities that threaten the region’s peace, environment and shared future.

“Our Pacific is an Ocean of Peace.

“That has been the consistent aspiration of Pacific Islands Forum leaders and is reflected in our Blue Pacific Continent vision. We want our ocean to remain clean, peaceful and dedicated to sustaining life—not to military rivalry or preparations for war.

“The Pacific Islands Forum stands together in solidarity on this principle. As the longest-serving current Prime Minister in the Pacific Islands Forum, having served continuously since 2019, I have witnessed the shared commitment of Pacific leaders to protect our collective ocean as an Ocean of Peace.”

Prime Minister Marape said Pacific nations continue to carry the legacy of conflicts that were never of their making.

“Our region has lived through war, nuclear testing and military activities imposed upon us by larger powers. We do not want history repeated.

“We want our waters to be free from nuclear testing and from the testing of harmful weapons and military arsenals of every kind—whether launched from the air, from the sea or from the land.”

The Prime Minister said the Pacific Ocean is one of humanity’s greatest shared assets.

“It is a global carbon sink. It is home to extraordinary marine biodiversity. It sustains fisheries that feed millions of people and contributes to the wellbeing of the entire planet.

“We therefore ask that our ocean be preserved for the sustenance of life, not used for military testing or activities associated with conflict.”

Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s longstanding friendship with the People’s Republic of China.

“Papua New Guinea has consistently upheld the One China Policy since establishing diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1976. This year we proudly celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations.

“Our friendship with China is longstanding, genuine and founded on mutual respect. Papua New Guinea has consistently maintained that our relationships with other partners will never compromise our friendship with China.

“It is in that same spirit of friendship that I respectfully appeal to our Chinese friends that this be the last such missile test conducted in Pacific waters.”

Prime Minister Marape stressed that the appeal applies equally to every nation possessing military capability.

“This message is not directed only at China. It applies equally to the United States, France, Japan, the United Kingdom and every nation with military capability.

“If you respect the Pacific and its people, then please respect our ocean. We ask all major powers to refrain from using Pacific waters for missile testing, military weapons trials or any activity that contributes to conflict or militarisation.”

The Prime Minister said he would convey Papua New Guinea’s concerns directly to the Chinese leadership through diplomatic channels while continuing to advocate the same position with all of Papua New Guinea’s international partners.

“The Pacific Ocean belongs to all of humanity. It is a priceless global asset that must remain clean, green and blue.

“Our appeal is respectful but firm. Let the Pacific remain an Ocean of Peace—for our children, for future generations of Pacific Islanders, and for the benefit of all mankind.”