China’s missile test triggers diplomatic shockwaves in French Polynesia

Analysis - China's missile test in the Pacific Ocean last week triggered shockwaves in French Polynesia, but a Chinese-hosted party later on seems to have smoothed most of the local ruffled feathers.

The ballistic missile test was reported to have ended its path some 700 kilometres away from French Polynesia's Marquesas Islands, albeit outside its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

China said it has previously given notice to Pacific powers such as France, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

This was confirmed by the French High Commissioner in French Polynesia, Eric Spitz.

It is the first time China has launched a missile into the Pacific Ocean in over four decades, but Stanton Senior Fellow, Ankit Panda said China regularly tests long-range missiles.

Since last week's launch, countries including Australia, Japan and New Zealand, Fiji and Palau have expressed concern regarding the potential consequences for the Pacific region's stability.

On the local scene, French Polynesia's President, pro-independence Moetai Brotherson, also expressed his concern, including the fact that he had not been notified prior to the Chinese launch.

Brotherson said he intended to seek clarification both from the French High Commissioner and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Brotherson said he also intended to convey his concerns to the Chinese diplomatic representative in French Polynesia.

"I will personally hand over a letter in which I express our stand with regards to this launch, as well as our disappointment on the fact that we had not been informed about this launch being directed towards our waters," Brotherson said.

The opportunity only came a few hours later: on the same evening, both Brotherson and the French High Commissioner were on the guest list to a function hosted by the Chinese Consul General, Lixiao Tian, to celebrate the People's Republic of China's 75th anniversary.

During this function, Brotherson, Spitz and the Chinese Consul-General made successive speeches.

On the sensitive missile topic, the French High Commissioner pointed out that the Chinese missile was carrying an "inert load", that fell into the Pacific Ocean's international waters, and that Chinese authorities had duly notified French authorities ahead of the launch.

Spitz added that "if they see it fit, at an appropriate time, French authorities would make their position known on this launch".

China 'determined to maintain world peace and harmony'

Lixiao, during the same function, told reporters the launch was "part of a yearly training programme".

"It does not pose any threat," he said.

"This is the message I want to send to (French Polynesia's) population. China is determined to maintain world peace and harmony."

The diplomat said his government remained determined to strengthen its existing cooperation and "friendship" with French Polynesia.

He mentioned potential developments in the tourism, agriculture and black pearl export industries.

He also took the opportunity to formally invite Brotherson and a delegation on a trip to China.

'A grain of rice in the ocean'

During that same function, Brotherson made further declarations, saying that "just like the French State's top authorities, I have the same regret".

"But what this launch really points out is all this tension in the Pacific area.

"We all know these two superpowers (US and China) are there, observing each other, gauging each other, testing each other. And we, in the middle of all this, we are like a grain of rice in the ocean," he told local media.

Later on, there were official toasts by Lixiao and local top authorities to mark China's 75th anniversary.

Senator Rohfritsch remains 'unconvinced'

One of the few local politicians to say he remains "unconvinced" is Teva Rohfritsch, French Polynesia's MP at the French Senate.

After the party, he maintained he had sent a letter to top French authorities, including President Macron, to share his concerns and ask Paris for a "strong and clear" message.

"We are told this is a normal yearly exercise (but the previous launch dates back from the 1980s) and that international right was respected, all things of which I am not totally convinced," he wrote.

Rohfritsch said French Polynesia's population had been "profoundly shocked" by the Chinese missile launch.

"This cannot be left without reaction from our nation, at the highest level, for the sake of peace in our Pacific world and more particularly the French Pacific islands," he wrote to Macron on Friday.

Rohfritsch said France should "reassure our populations" about appropriate "military and diplomatic" resources being available to "preserve peace in our region".

In August, outgoing Commander of the French Armed Forces in French Polynesia, Commodore Geoffroy d'Andigné, warned that tensions have been rising in the Pacific Ocean over the past few years and everyone should be prepared.

During a handover ceremony in Papeete, the departing Commodore said he had reinforced French Polynesia's huge Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). And that more than once, over the past two years, French navy patrols have come across new kinds of foreign vessels.

"We have seen Chinese vessels approach the EEZ at Christmas 2022. It shows a military deployment which increasingly affects all the regions of the world," he said in August.

"It signals something for which we have to prepare. We are in a world where tensions are rising. We have to anticipate this capacity and manage this space. And reaffirm our role to protect Polynesia and the Polynesians."

The Papeete-based Armed Forces Commander also leads the French Naval forces for the whole Pacific Ocean.

D'Andigné was replaced in August by Commodore Guillaume Pinget, 51, a former Commander of aircraft-carrier Charles de Gaulle.