China conducts submarine-launched missile test, drawing regional concerns

China conducts successful missile launch from a submarine. (Image used for representation)

China's military test-fired a missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific on Monday, state media reported, drawing criticism and concerns from Japan, Australia and New Zealand over Beijing's expanding military reach. A nuclear submarine of the People's Liberation Army Navy launched the missile carrying a dummy warhead toward international waters in the Pacific at 12.01 pm local time, the official Xinhua news agency said. The missile landed in "designated waters," it added, without giving further details of the location. Monday's launch was part of routine annual training, complied with international law and practice, and was not directed against any country or target, according to a short statement from Xinhua, which was reposted by the ministry of defence. Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said China had notified the Australian govt of the planned test, but described the launch as "destabilising" for the region. The test was "in the context of a rapid military build-up by China, which is lacking in the transparency and reassurance as to intent that the region expects," Wong told reporters. The test comes just hours after Australia and Fiji signed a major defence alliance on Monday, committing each country to come to the other's aid in case either is attacked. Beijing and Western powers led by the US and Australia have competed for years for influence in the strategically located island nations, and China has sought to expand its economic and security influence across the South Pacific. Beijing and Western powers led by the US and Australia have competed for years for influence in the strategically located island nations, and China has sought to expand its economic and security influence across the South Pacific. China maintains a "no first use" of nuclear weapons policy, but is also actively pursuing nuclear technology and weaponry as part of its long-term strategy to modernise the People's Liberation Army. China has a fleet of six ballistic-missile submarines and 59 nuclear-powered attack submarines, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a Washington-based think tank. Mark Douglas, an analyst at New Zealand-based ship tracking firm Starboard Maritime Intelligence, said the test had been planned long in advance, and noted that the timing of China's notification - after Australia and Fiji signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance - was "interesting, to say the least." Asked about the defence pact, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China hoped relevant countries would respect the independence and autonomy of island nations and refrain from targeting or harming the interests of third parties. New Zealand foreign minister Winston Peters said the country was deeply concerned by the test. "It appears that despite our long-standing concerns about this type of activity, China carried out the test within hours of informing us," Peters said in a statement. "New Zealand considers this an unwelcome and concerning development. We, like our neighbours in other Pacific countries, have no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing site for missile capability," he said. Japan's govt said it received notification of the missile launch and had urged China to reconsider. "We expressed our grave concern over the Chinese military's increased activity," Tokyo said, adding that Chinese authorities had notified Japan's Coast Guard on Sunday about space debris that could fall within Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Responding to regional criticisms, Mao said the launch was conducted "safely, in a standardised and professional manner throughout". "We hope relevant countries will not overinterpret the matter," she said at a briefing in Beijing. It is rare for China to fire long-range missiles into the sea. China last tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in 2024, a launch that highlighted the country's increasing military capabilities.