China test-launches ballistic missile from sub in South Pacific, draws protests

China's military conducted a test launch of a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine in the South Pacific on Monday, an action that has drawn criticism and concern from regional nations. The missile, carrying a dummy warhead, was launched at 12:01 p.m. and was described by China's official Xinhua News Agency as part of routine annual training that complied with international law and was not directed at any specific country.

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It appears that despite our long-standing concerns about this type of activity, China carried out the test within hours of informing us.

However, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan strongly criticized the launch. New Zealand's government stated it was informed of the launch hours beforehand and noted the missile was fired into the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, established by the 1986 Treaty of Rarotonga. China ratified protocols in 1987 pledging not to test nuclear weapons within this zone. "It appears that despite our long-standing concerns about this type of activity, China carried out the test within hours of informing us," said New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong described the launch as "destabilizing to the region." This incident occurred on the same day Australia and Fiji signed a new mutual defense treaty intended to counter Chinese influence in the Pacific. Tokyo also expressed strong objections, urging China to reconsider the test to avoid posing a threat to Japan's security, such as by passing through its airspace.

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Australia has been clear with China that we regard this as destabilizing to the region.

This marks China's first missile test in the Pacific in two years, following a previous intercontinental ballistic missile launch. The regional response highlights ongoing tensions and strategic maneuvering in the Pacific, particularly concerning China's military activities and growing influence.

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We strongly called for a rethink of the ballistic missile test-firing, so that it won't pose a threat to Japan's security such as by passing through Japan's airspace.