Pacific nations fail to agree on statement condemning China missile test

SUVA, Fiji: Pacific diplomats gathered in Fiji failed on Friday (Aug 7) to agree on a joint statement condemning China's recent test of a nuclear-capable missile in the region, with New Zealand's foreign minister accusing them of appeasing "outsiders".Beijing gave only a handful of nations short notice before test-firing an intercontinental ballistic missile last month, flexing its military might in a region where it has long sought to expand its reach.The rocket appeared to land in a patch of ocean somewhere between Solomon Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu, monitors have said.It sparked condemnation from multiple Pacific leaders, but the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum is yet to issue a formal response to the test. New Zealand's outspoken Foreign Minister Winston Peters said following an hours-l