A nuclear submarine of the People’s Liberation Army Navy of China launched a missile with a simulated warhead into international waters of the Pacific Ocean at 12:01, according to the official news agency Xinhua. The agency reported that the missile landed in “designated waters”, but did not disclose the exact location. Xinhua described the launch as a “planned part” of China’s annual military exercises and stated it was not directed at any specific country or target.
Regional concerns and China’s response
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that China had informed the government about the planned test but called the launch “destabilizing” for the region. “The test occurs in the context of China’s rapid military buildup, which lacks the transparency and assurance regarding intentions that the region expects,” Wong told journalists at a press conference in the capital of Fiji, Suva.
The test took place just hours after Australia and Fiji signed a significant defense alliance on Monday, committing to assist each other in the event of an attack. Beijing and Western nations led by the U.S. and Australia have competed for influence in the strategically located island nations for years, with China aiming to expand its economic and security presence in the South Pacific.
Mark Douglas, an analyst at the New Zealand-based ship tracking firm Starboard Maritime Intelligence, noted that the test was planned in advance and remarked that the timing of China’s notification—after Australia and Fiji signed the “Pacific Ocean Alliance”—was “interesting, to say the least”.
In response to questions about the defense pact, Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, expressed hope that relevant countries would respect the independence and autonomy of the island nations and refrain from targeting or harming the interests of third parties.
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed deep concern over the test. “It appears that, despite our long-standing concerns about such activities, China conducted the test within a few hours of notifying us,” Peters said in a statement. “New Zealand considers this an unwelcome and troubling development. We, like our neighbors in other Pacific countries, are not interested in China using the South Pacific as a testing ground for missile capabilities,” he added.
The government of Japan stated it had received notification about the missile launch and urged China to reconsider its decision. “We have expressed serious concern about the increased activity of the Chinese military,” Tokyo stated, adding that Chinese authorities had informed the Japan Coast Guard on Sunday about space debris that could fall within Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The news agency Kyodo reported on Monday, citing a source in the Japanese government, that the missile landed outside Japan’s EEZ. Japan had not received any reports indicating that the test had damaged its aircraft or ships, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara at a press conference.
In response to regional criticism, Mao Ning stated that the launch was conducted “safely, in a standardized and professional manner.” “We hope that the relevant countries will not overinterpret this issue,” she said at a briefing in Beijing.
Context of military activity and alliances
China rarely launches long-range missiles into the sea. The country last tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in 2024, demonstrating the growth of its military capabilities.
The latest test occurred amid increased military activity by China in the region. A high-ranking Taiwanese security official stated on Monday that Taiwan is monitoring a “growing trend” in the movement of Chinese naval forces during the peak season of military exercises, including joint maneuvers with Russia.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
