China Launches Submarine Ballistic Missile in South Pacific Draws Regional Concern

China conducted a test launch of a long-range ballistic missile from one of its nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific on Monday. The missile was launched at 12:01 p.m., carrying a dummy warhead, as announced by Xinhua News Agency. This annual training exercise, which complied with international law and practice, did not target any country or region.

The launch drew criticism from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. New Zealand’s government noted the missile was fired into the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, established in 1986 to prohibit nuclear weapons throughout the region. China ratified this treaty in 1987, pledging not to test nuclear weapons within the zone or threaten signatories with territory in the region.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that the launch destabilized the region, aligning with Australia and Fiji’s signing of a new mutual defense treaty aimed at countering Chinese influence. Tokyo also urged China to reconsider the test, fearing it could pose a threat through Japan’s airspace.