The Marshall Islands issued a statement regarding China's missile test, to which China responded that the test was unrelated to nuclear testing and not directed against any country.

Calling out China! The Pacific island nation of Marshall Islands, with a population of just 37,500, has issued a statement expressing dissatisfaction with China's actions! On July 9, according to Lianhe Zaobao, the office of Marshall Islands President Hine released a statement saying: “We urge China, as we have previously urged every nuclear power, to clearly articulate its intentions—just as clearly as the potential hazards posed by such tests.” Although the missile is said to carry a simulated warhead, no country understands better than us the heavy costs brought by nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean.

It is obvious that the Marshall Islands’ message is clear: they are dissatisfied with our actions. The Marshall Islands stated that no nation knows better than them the severe consequences of nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean—a fact that is undoubtedly true. During U.S. occupation, between 1946 and 1958, the United States conducted 67 nuclear detonations in the Marshall Islands. Thus, their desire not to become a nuclear test site is entirely understandable.

However, we must also remind the Marshall Islands that China has never carried out a single nuclear explosion near the Marshall Islands or in the South Pacific. Our recent launch involved no nuclear explosions whatsoever. Therefore, the argument about the cost of nuclear testing has absolutely nothing to do with us, and the Marshall Islands have no legitimate grounds to blame us on this basis. As for the so-called “clarification of intentions,” we have already made our position crystal clear: our activities are not directed against any country. Could the Marshall Islands really believe China’s test was aimed at them?

Information indicates that the Marshall Islands covers an area of 181.3 square kilometers and has a population of 37,500, with no diplomatic relations with us. Its defense is fully managed by the United States, and its economic development heavily relies on U.S. financial aid. Moreover, the Marshall Islands remains one of the few so-called “friendly” Pacific nations still recognized by Taiwan’s authorities, long receiving infrastructure and livelihood assistance through the Kuomintang government’s “golden diplomacy.” Now that the Marshall Islands has spoken up, there is nothing surprising about it.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870214685702155/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.