China Conducts Long-Range Ballistic Missile Test in South Pacific
Quick Look
- China launched a long-range ballistic missile from a submarine in the South Pacific, a region designated as nuclear-free by the Treaty of Rarotonga.
- Australia and New Zealand condemned the test, calling it destabilizing and accusing China of conducting it shortly after notifying them.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
China conducted a long-range ballistic missile test in the South Pacific, a region designated as nuclear-free by the 1986 Treaty of Rarotonga. This action has drawn condemnation from Australia and New Zealand.
The Chinese Navy conducted a test launch for a long-range ballistic missile on Monday, drawing condemnation from other regional powers over Beijing's increasing displays of military might.
According to the official Xinhua news agency, the missile was launched by a nuclear submarine in the South Pacific. The area is known as the nuclear-free zone due to the 1986 Treaty of Rarotonga, in which signatories agreed not to test nuclear warheads there. China ratified the treaty in 1987.
Australia: China is 'destabilizing' South Pacific
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong accused Beijing of "destabilizing" the region while on a visit to Fiji to boost defense ties.
"It appears that despite our long-standing concerns about this type of activity, China carried out the test within hours of informing us" that it would take place, New Zealand's top diplomat Winston Peters told the Associated Press.
China has said that it was carrying out "routine" military drills. Two years ago, it carried out a similar missile test in the area with a dummy warhead.
Beijing has in recent years begun carrying out larger and more regular military drills across the South Pacific.
Edited by: Kieran Burke
Open Questions
- What was the specific type of missile tested?
- What is China's long-term military strategy in the South Pacific?
