China has test-fired a missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific Ocean, prompting concern from Australia, New Zealand and Japan over Beijing’s growing military activities and strategic reach in the region.
According to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, a nuclear submarine belonging to the People’s Liberation Army Navy launched the missile, carrying a dummy warhead, toward international waters in the Pacific at 12:01 p.m. local time on Monday. The missile reportedly landed in “designated waters,” although authorities did not disclose the exact location.
Xinhua described the launch as “a routine arrangement” under China’s annual military training programme and said it “was not directed against any specific country or target.”
Despite the assurance, the missile test drew swift reactions from regional governments.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canberra had been notified in advance of the planned launch but warned that the exercise heightened regional tensions.
“The test was in the context of a rapid military buildup by China, which is lacking in the transparency and reassurance as to intent that the region expects,” Wong told reporters during a news conference in Suva.
The missile launch came just hours after Australia and Fiji signed a major defence agreement committing both countries to assist each other if either nation comes under attack, underscoring intensifying strategic competition in the Pacific.
Beijing has for years competed with Western allies led by the United States and Australia for influence among strategically located Pacific island nations while expanding its economic and security presence across the region.
Mark Douglas, an analyst with Starboard Maritime Intelligence in New Zealand, said the launch had likely been planned well in advance but noted the timing of China’s notification.
“The timing of China’s notification — after Australia and Fiji signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance — was interesting, to say the least,” he said.
Responding to questions about the new Australia-Fiji defence pact, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ningsaid Beijing hoped countries in the region would avoid actions that undermine others.
“China hopes relevant countries will respect the independence and autonomy of island nations and refrain from targeting or harming the interests of third parties,” she said.
New Zealand also voiced strong concerns over the missile launch.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the notification provided by China came only hours before the launch.
“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.”
Japan likewise expressed concern after receiving prior notification of the launch.
“We expressed our grave concern over the Chinese military’s increased activity,” the Japanese government said, adding that Chinese authorities had informed the Japan Coast Guard that space debris from the launch could fall within Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
However, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said authorities received no reports of damage to aircraft or ships, while local media reported that the missile landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
Defending the exercise, Mao insisted the operation was conducted responsibly.
“The launch was conducted safely, in a standardized and professional manner throughout,” she said.
“We hope relevant countries will not overinterpret the matter.”
China rarely conducts long-range missile launches into the sea. Its last publicly known test of an intercontinental ballistic missile took place in 2024 and was widely viewed as another demonstration of Beijing’s expanding military capabilities.
Boluwatife Enome
