China test-fires submarine-launched missile into Pacific, raising regional concerns

BEIJING: China on Monday test-fired a missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific Ocean, drawing concern from regional powers including Japan, Australia and New Zealand over Beijing’s growing military presence in the strategically important region.

According to state-run Xinhua news agency, the People’s Liberation Army Navy launched the missile carrying a dummy warhead from a submarine at 12:01pm local time (0401 GMT).

Chinese authorities said the missile landed in designated international waters and described the exercise as a “routine arrangement” under the country’s annual military training programme, insisting that it was not directed at any specific country.

The launch came hours after Australia and Fiji signed a new defence agreement committing the two countries to provide mutual assistance in the event of an attack.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that Beijing had informed Canberra in advance of the missile test but described the launch as “destabilising”.

She said the exercise highlighted China’s rapid military modernisation, adding that greater transparency was needed to reassure regional partners.

New Zealand also confirmed receiving advance notification. Foreign Minister Winston Peters called the launch “an unwelcome and concerning development”, saying Pacific nations had no interest in the region being used to test China’s missile capabilities.

Japan likewise received prior notice and expressed concern over China’s increasing military activities.

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Tokyo confirmed that the missile landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone and said no damage had been reported. A Japanese government source told Kyodo News that the launch had been closely monitored.

Responding to the criticism, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the missile test had been conducted “safely, in a standardised and professional manner”.

She urged regional countries not to overinterpret the exercise and called for respect for the independence of Pacific island nations.

The launch is among the few occasions China has fired a long-range missile into the Pacific. It follows a similar intercontinental ballistic missile test in 2024 and comes amid an increase in Chinese naval operations, including joint military exercises with Russia, according to Taiwanese security officials.