On July 7, 2026, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale met in Honiara to pledge deeper bilateral ties and discuss a new comprehensive treaty. This meeting follows China's provocative test of an intercontinental ballistic missile launched from a nuclear-powered submarine in the Pacific on July 6. The missile, which traveled near the Philippines and landed between Tonga and Nauru, drew widespread condemnation from Australia, the US, and Taiwan. While China claims the test was routine, Albanese described the act as destabilizing to regional security. As Australia seeks to counter Beijing's growing influence in the South Pacific, the Solomon Islands is currently reviewing its existing security pact with China. This strategic maneuvering highlights the intensifying rivalry between Western allies and China within the Pacific region.