China announced on Monday that it had successfully conducted the test launch of a strategic missile from a submarine, hours after notifying several Pacific nations of the planned exercise. The test marks China's second strategic missile launch since it fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean on September 25, 2024, which was the first such test since 1980.
Official Confirmation and International Notification
The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy confirmed the test on Monday, with state-run Xinhua News reporting that the launch was successful. Earlier on Monday, media outlets in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan reported that their governments had been informed by China of an imminent test launch of a nuclear-capable long-range missile in the South Pacific.
Monitoring and Regional Reactions
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, maritime intelligence company Starboard published images showing that China currently has two satellite tracking vessels in the Pacific region, which would be used to monitor a test ballistic missile launch. Japan was also notified in advance, according to Kyodo News, which reported that Tokyo urged Beijing to rethink the missile test and conveyed its serious concern.
