Beijing: China has carried out a rare long range ballistic missile test in the Pacific Ocean, causing concern among several regional countries and raising fresh questions about growing military competition in the region.
The missile was launched from a nuclear powered submarine during a military exercise on Monday. According to Chinese authorities, the missile carried a dummy warhead and landed in a designated area of the Pacific Ocean. China did not publicly reveal the exact location where the missile landed.
Beijing described the launch as part of the Chinese navy’s regular annual training programme. Chinese officials said countries concerned had been informed before the test. They also said the exercise followed international law and was not directed against any particular country.
However, the test has caused concern in Australia, New Zealand and Japan. These countries have been closely watching China’s rapid military expansion and its growing presence in the Pacific.
Australian officials described the missile test as a worrying development. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the region was concerned about China’s increasing military power and the lack of transparency surrounding some of its strategic activities. Australia has repeatedly called for greater openness and communication to reduce the risk of misunderstanding and conflict in the region.
New Zealand also expressed serious concern over the launch. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the missile test was deeply concerning for the region. Reports said New Zealand received information about the planned launch only a few hours before it took place.
Japan also raised concerns about the test. The missile reportedly landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, but Tokyo continues to closely monitor China’s growing missile and naval capabilities.
Another major concern is the area connected with the missile test. Reports said the launch involved waters associated with the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, which was established through the Treaty of Rarotonga. The treaty aims to keep nuclear weapons away from a large part of the South Pacific.
Although the Chinese missile carried a dummy warhead and not a nuclear weapon, the test has created political concern among Pacific governments. The use of a submarine capable of carrying strategic missiles has also attracted attention because such submarines are an important part of nuclear deterrence.
Nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines can remain hidden underwater for long periods. Their ability to launch missiles from the sea gives a country the power to respond even after suffering a major military attack. For this reason, the latest test is being seen as an important demonstration of China’s growing strategic military capabilities.
The timing of the missile test has also attracted attention. It took place around the same period that Australia and Fiji announced a major new defence agreement. This has led to questions about whether the Chinese launch was intended to send a political or military message.
Australian Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said he did not believe there was necessarily a connection between the missile launch and the defence agreement with Fiji. China has also maintained that the test was a routine military activity and not a response to any particular regional development.
The latest test comes after China launched an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific in September 2024. That launch was also closely watched because China had rarely conducted such visible long range missile tests over the Pacific.
The new submarine based launch suggests that China is becoming more willing to openly demonstrate its strategic capabilities in the wider Pacific. This comes at a time when competition for political and military influence in the region is growing.
China has been strengthening its military and diplomatic relationships across the Pacific, while Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States have also increased cooperation with regional governments.
For many Pacific island countries, the growing military competition creates difficult questions. These countries want economic development and strong international partnerships, but many also want the Pacific to remain peaceful and free from major power confrontation.
China insists that its military development is defensive and that its activities follow international law. However, regional governments continue to ask for greater transparency about Beijing’s military plans and exercises.
The missile test is therefore significant not only because of the weapon involved but also because of the wider political situation in the Pacific. It highlights the growing military capabilities of China and the increasing concern among neighbouring countries about security and stability.
As governments seek more information about the test, the incident is likely to strengthen calls for better communication and greater transparency between China and other regional powers. It may also encourage closer defence cooperation among countries that are increasingly worried about the possibility of misunderstanding or military confrontation in the Pacific.