China conducted a long-range ballistic missile test in the Pacific Ocean on Monday, generating concern among U.S. allies. The event occurred at 12:01 p.m. local time, as reported by Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency. The missile, equipped with a dummy warhead, was launched from a nuclear-powered submarine. It landed accurately within a designated area, though specific details about the location and type of projectile were not disclosed.
This test marked China’s first such activity since 2024, when it launched an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific for the first time in over 40 years. The People’s Liberation Army Navy described the launch as a routine element of annual training. According to Xinhua, the action was not aimed at any particular nation or target. Officials noted compliance with international law and informed relevant countries ahead of the launch. The Chinese foreign ministry urged nations not to misinterpret the situation.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticized the test while in Fiji, despite prior notification. She labeled it as ‘destabilizing’ to the region due to China’s rapid military expansion, which lacks transparency. Her statements aligned with the signing of a major defense alliance with Fiji to counter China’s regional influence. Japan also expressed ‘serious concern,’ having received a warning about potential space debris entering its exclusive economic zone. According to a government source cited by the Kyodo news agency, the missile fell outside this zone.
New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters described the test as an ‘unwelcome and concerning development.’ He emphasized that Pacific nations, including New Zealand, do not welcome the use of the South Pacific for missile testing.