BEIJING/SYDNEY, July 6 (Reuters) – China's military launched a missile from a nuclear submarine into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, according to state media. This action has raised alarms and criticism from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand regarding China's growing military power.
The missile, which had a dummy warhead, was fired by a submarine of the People’s Liberation Army Navy at 12:01 p.m. local time (0401 GMT) into international waters, as reported by the official Xinhua news agency.
The missile reportedly landed in "designated waters," but no specific location was provided.
Xinhua referred to the launch as a "routine arrangement" within China's annual military training, stating that it was not aimed at any specific country or target.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong mentioned that China had notified the Australian government about the test, but she described the launch as "destabilizing" for the region.
Wong added that the test occurred amid a rapid military buildup by China, which lacks the transparency that the region desires, and was speaking at a news conference in Suva, the capital of Fiji.
Interestingly, this test took place just hours after Australia and Fiji signed a significant defense agreement on the same day, pledging mutual support in case of an attack.
China, along with Western powers led by the U.S. and Australia, has been competing for influence in the strategically important island nations, and Beijing is looking to enhance its economic and security presence in the South Pacific.
Mark Douglas, an analyst from the New Zealand-based ship tracking company Starboard Maritime Intelligence, stated that the timing of the test was notable, particularly since China notified Australia after the signing of the Ocean of Peace Alliance.
When asked about the defense pact, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed hope that relevant countries would respect the independence of island nations and avoid actions that could harm third-party interests.
TEST CARRIED OUT WITHIN HOURS OF NOTIFICATION
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed deep concern over the test.
“It seems that despite our ongoing concerns about such activities, China conducted the test just hours after informing us,” Peters stated in a press release.
He added, “New Zealand sees this as an unwelcome and concerning development. Like our neighbors in other Pacific nations, we do not want China using the South Pacific as a missile testing ground.”
Japan's government confirmed that it had been informed about the missile launch and urged China to reconsider its actions.
“We have expressed our serious concern regarding the increased military activities of China,” Japan stated. They added that Chinese authorities had notified Japan's Coast Guard about potential space debris that could fall within Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Kyodo news agency reported that the missile landed outside of Japan's EEZ, according to a Japanese government source.
Japan did not receive any reports of damage to its aircraft or ships from the test, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara at a press conference.
In response to concerns from the region, Mao stated that the launch was conducted “safely, in a standardized and professional manner.”
“We hope that relevant countries will not overinterpret the situation,” she added during a briefing in Beijing.
It is uncommon for China to fire long-range missiles into the sea. The last time China tested an intercontinental ballistic missile was in 2024, showcasing the country's growing military capabilities.
This latest test occurs as China intensifies its military activities in the region. A senior Taiwanese security official noted on Monday that Taiwan is witnessing an "upward trend" in Chinese naval movements, particularly during peak military exercise seasons, including joint drills with Russia.