Solomon Island PM says he registered 'strong protest' with China over missile test

The Australian and Solomon Islands leaders have been asked for their response to China's long-range missile test yesterday in the Pacific.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia has made its concerns to China in both Beijing and Canberra clear.

Albanese says China's action was "provocative" and that it "destabilises" the region.

He says China did not provide 48 hours notice of the test, as is usual for tests like these.

"We want to cooperate with China where we can, will disagree where we must and will engage in our national interest. This is one of those occasions where we must disagree with this action," Albanese says.

Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale says his country has registered its "strong protest" with the ambassador yesterday.

"We don't want anybody testing the ICBMs in the Pacific Islands region. That's the bottom line. Be our friend but don't threaten us," Wale says.

Albanese says Australia wants to fast-track negotiations with Solomon Islands

The leaders have been asked if Australia is considering signing a similar agreement to the Nakamal treaty (with PNG) with the Solomon Islands.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia wants to fast-track negotiations as soon as possible, but doesn't want to rush the process.

"We've had now very constructive discussions that began with my cabinet in Canberra," Albanese says.

"I look forward to a constructive outcome. I think both sides come at this with good will, recognising that our respective national sovereignty is important but also recognising that working together we can be stronger."

Matthew Wale says missile test further evidence Pacific needs regional pact

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has been asked what his proposal for a regional security pact with Australia looks like.

Wale has also been asked if yesterday's missile test by China has deterred his country from coming to an agreement with Australia.

The Solomon Islands PM says there are some gaps in the regional architecture and that there's a review undergoing at a regional level. He nominates intelligence gaps as an example.

But he says the Chinese missile test shows there is a need for a regional pact.

"In many ways the missile test is further evidence for the need for regional platform so that the region can speak as one," Wale says.

"It will allow some countries, not all the countries in the Pacific are not all on the same level of strength and may not want to speak up when things like this happen. But a regional platform will allow cover and allow for much greater sharing of intelligence and information."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says there is "real concern" the test was undertaken by a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile fired from a nuclear-powered submarine.

And that's the end of that joint press conference with the leaders.

Anthony Albanese labels China missile test 'provocative'

Prime minister Anthony Albanese has labelled a ballistic missile test carried out by China destabilising and provocative, while the prime minister of the Solomon Islands has said it was "not the act of a friend".

The nuclear-capable missile that China test-fired from a submarine yesterday flew over multiple Pacific nations and appears to have hit waters close to Tuvalu's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

China had called the launch "routine", but both Australia and New Zealand sharply criticised the missile test.

Speaking in Honiara alongside the prime minister of the Solomon Islands, Matthew Wale, Mr Albanese said Australia has raised the test with China directly.

"We have made clear our concerns to China in both Beijing and Canberra, and I am making clear our concerns here as well in Honiara," he said.

Analysis: With one missile, China sends world a reminder of its growing military power

The world's largest army has just made a massive military flex and sent a message across the globe, all without saying a word.

For the first time, Beijing has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the waters of the Pacific from a nuclear-powered submarine.

The missile carried a dummy warhead, Chinese state media said, and the exact landing location is still unknown.

Overnight, it emerged that the missile had flown over multiple Pacific nations and appeared to have hit waters close to Tuvalu's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

This is a region where China is increasingly trying to gain a strategic foothold, and the launch marks a history-making moment that forms part of a broader Chinese campaign to assert its geopolitical, economic and military power in Australia's backyard.

Angus Taylor labels China's missile test 'unwelcome provocation'

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has stepped up to the microphone where he's commented on the Chinese long-range missile test yesterday.

The nuclear-capable missile that China test-fired from a submarine flew over multiple Pacific nations and appears to have hit waters close to Tuvalu's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The opposition leader has labelled the action an "unwelcome provocation" and "intimidation".

He says Australia should be deeply concerned about the range of the intercontinental ballistic missile.

Taylor has called for an increase to Australia's defence spending and closer cooperation with the nation's allies.

"These are not the acts of a friend. Let's be clear and that provocation, intimidation is unacceptable," Taylor says.

"The truth of the matter is the best pathway to peace is strength and that is why we need to see an increase in defence spending in this country."

The opposition leader says the federal government must register its concerns with Beijing over the missile test at the highest levels.

He says the opposition welcomes the Ocean of Peace Alliance signed with Fiji yesterday.