Beijing: China on Monday test-fired a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific Ocean, with the missile landing in designated waters, according to state news agency Xinhua. The launch was carried out at 12:01 p.m. local time by a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) strategic nuclear submarine operating in the South Pacific.
Beijing described the launch as a routine annual military training exercise, stating that it was not aimed at any specific country or target and was conducted in accordance with its scheduled defence training programme.
How Have Regional Countries Responded?
The missile test prompted swift reactions from Australia, Japan, and New Zealand, all of which expressed concern over China’s growing military capabilities and strategic activities in the Indo-Pacific.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that China had provided advance notification of the launch but described the test as “destabilising,” saying it reflected Beijing’s rapid military build-up without sufficient transparency or reassurance for regional countries.
Japan said it had been informed in advance and conveyed “grave concern” over China’s expanding military activities. Tokyo also noted that its coast guard had received notice regarding possible falling debris within Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
New Zealand also criticized the launch, with Foreign Minister Winston Peters calling it an “unwelcome and concerning development.” He said Pacific nations had no interest in the South Pacific being used as a testing ground for missile capabilities.
The submarine-launched missile test comes amid heightened strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, where China’s expanding naval and nuclear capabilities continue to draw close scrutiny from neighbouring countries and Western allies, raising fresh concerns over regional security and military stability.