China Missile Test: Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale and Australia’s Anthony Albanese condemned China’s submarine-launched nuclear-capable ballistic missile test in the Pacific as “provocative” and “destabilising,” with Wale saying Solomon Islands lodged a “strong protest” with Chinese diplomats and urging no major power to test ICBMs in the region. Regional Security: Wale, also Pacific Islands Forum chair, said the incident shows the need for a Pacific-wide platform so countries can speak “as one,” while Australia pressed for stronger regional security cooperation. Diplomacy & Alliances: The missile launch came hours after Australia and Fiji signed the “Ocean of Peace” mutual defence alliance, intensifying debate over Pacific security architecture and China’s growing military footprint. Independence Day & Governance: Albanese joined Independence Day in Honiara, announcing education support and police academy cooperation, while Wale launched the GREAT Coalition policy focused on jobs, local business participation, and stronger institutions. Development Links: India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar also sent Independence greetings, highlighting a prior dialysis machine gift to the National Referral Hospital.