China Navy Launches Strategic Missile Into Pacific Ocean During Military Exercise, Confirms Advance Notice
China said it successfully launched a strategic missile from a nuclear submarine into the Pacific Ocean during a routine military exercise after notifying regional countries in advance
China has reportedly carried out a rare test of a submarine-launched missile in the Pacific Ocean, firing a ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine. The move underscores China’s continued efforts to strengthen its military capabilities and expand its strategic influence across the region. According to a statement released by Wang Xuemeng, spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), a strategic nuclear submarine launched a strategic missile fitted with a training simulation warhead at 12:01 p. m. The missile reportedly landed accurately in its designated area in the Pacific Ocean. “At 12:01 pm on July 6, a strategic nuclear submarine of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy successfully launched a… strategic missile carrying a training simulation warhead into the relevant high seas of the Pacific Ocean, accurately landing in the designated sea area. ”Wang added that the missile test was a routine part of China’s annual military exercises and that neighbouring countries had been notified before the launch. “This missile test launch is a routine arrangement of China’s annual military training, and relevant countries were informed in advance. ”You Might Be Interested InChina and Russia Begin Annual Joint Naval ExercisesThe missile launch took place on the same day that China and Russia were scheduled to begin their annual joint naval exercises near Qingdao, an important military port on China’s eastern coast. Chinese authorities have not confirmed whether the missile launch was directly linked to the joint naval drills. Regional Countries Received Advance NoticeBefore the launch, officials from several Pacific nations confirmed they had received advance notification from China. Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said the Chinese government personally informed him about the planned missile test. “Yes, China has briefed me. I was personally called by the Chinese ambassador. ”A New Zealand government source also confirmed that Beijing had notified Wellington about an upcoming test involving an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). However, officials did not disclose the expected impact location of the missile. China’s Previous Pacific Missile TestThe latest launch follows a similar test conducted in September 2024, when China’s Rocket Force fired a missile carrying a dummy warhead into waters near French Polynesia. That launch marked China’s first long-range missile test over international waters in more than four decades. Defence analysts at the time believed the missile was likely a Dong Feng-31 (DF-31), an advanced intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying a thermonuclear warhead. The missile landed in a section of the Pacific Ocean recognised as a nuclear-free zone under an international treaty. New Zealand Warns of More Chinese Military ActivityAccording to an internal New Zealand Defence Force document obtained by AFP last month, Chinese naval operations and ballistic missile tests are expected to become a regular feature across the Pacific region. The assessment suggested that Beijing’s growing military presence in the Pacific is likely to continue in the coming years as China expands its strategic operations beyond its immediate coastline.