Key facts
- China conducted a rare long-range ballistic missile test from a nuclear-powered submarine on Monday.
- The missile was launched into the Pacific Ocean and carried a dummy warhead.
- Experts believe the missile could be a JL-2 or JL-3, capable of intercontinental ranges.
- The launch drew protests from the U.S., Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.
- New Zealand stated the launch violated the spirit of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone.
- The test is seen as a demonstration of China's increasing nuclear deterrence capabilities.
China's navy conducted a rare test launch of a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific Ocean on Monday. The move, announced publicly after the fact, is seen by experts as a demonstration of Beijing's increasing skill and capability in its nuclear deterrence strategy. While China's official Xinhua News Agency described the launch as part of routine annual training compliant with international law and not directed at any specific country, it has drawn significant criticism and protests from the United States and several countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Experts suggest the missile could be either a JL-2 or a JL-3, with the latter potentially having a range exceeding 10,000 kilometers, according to the state-owned tabloid Global Times. The missile carried a dummy warhead, and the launch occurred in international waters, a practice also undertaken by the U.S. for its own missile testing.
However, the launch has exacerbated regional tensions. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described it as a "provocative act" that "destabilizes the region" and noted the insufficient notice provided. New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters called the event "unwelcome and concerning." Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale stated that while China is a friend, "this is not something a friend does" and expressed a desire for no country to test ICBMs in the region.
Concerns are amplified by a perceived lack of transparency in China's military modernization. Drew Thompson, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, noted that China's military buildup has not been matched by increased openness, leading to uncertainty about its intentions. This test comes as China, under leader Xi Jinping, continues to prioritize the modernization of its People's Liberation Army, expanding its nuclear arsenal and developing longer-range missiles. The region is experiencing increased militarization, with countries like Japan doubling their defense budgets and the Philippines allowing expanded U.S. military presence.