China Conducts Ballistic Missile Test in Pacific, Australia Expresses Concern

China has test-fired a ballistic missile armed with a dummy warhead in the Pacific Ocean.

The test was confirmed by state media outlet Xinhua, which reported the test of a "strategic missile" in the Pacific earlier today.

It said the missile was launched from a submarine and landed in the target zone.

The ABC understands China's embassies have been briefing countries across the Pacific ahead of the tests.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles confirmed the government had been told of the plans.

"We were informed by China today of its intention to do this test," he said.

"This is a long-range missile test, and we are very concerned about any actions that undermine the stability, peace and security of the Pacific."

"We are completely committed to the Oceans of Peace declaration that was made by the Pacific Island Forum last year, and our primary focus, our primary concern, is on maintaining the peace and security of the Pacific."

A similar missile test conducted in late 2024 was strongly criticised by a number of countries in the region, while Australia raised the matter in meetings with Chinese leaders.

News of the missile test broke just hours after Australia and Fiji announced a surprise new military pact, elevating the two countries' military alliance to the highest levels.

The Oceans of Peace alliance includes a mutual defence obligation that would require either country to respond should the other come under military attack.

But Mr Marles said he did not believe the missile test was in any way a response to the new pact.

Asked about the possibility China might respond poorly to news of the pact, Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said he was not expecting problems.

"I do not expect China to [push back severely] on either government, and I believe that they will welcome the understanding that it is between Australia and Fiji," he said.

"It does not threaten Fiji's relationship with China, nor Australia's relationship with China.

"And as we have made it very clear in the past, your enemies are not necessarily my enemies."

New Zealand's foreign minister, Winston Peters, said his country was "deeply concerned" by the test.

"New Zealand considers this an unwelcome and concerning development," he said in a statement.

"We, like our neighbours in other Pacific countries, have no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing site for missile capability.

"We will be talking with our Pacific partners about this development."