China’s Pacific missile test draws criticism from regional governments
Australia, New Zealand and Japan raised concerns after China said it fired a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
2 min read
China test-fired a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific Ocean, according to state news agency Xinhua, drawing criticism from Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The reaction underscored regional concern over Chinese military activity and the use of the South Pacific for missile testing.
Xinhua reported that the Chinese navy launched the missile at 12:01 p.m. on Monday, or 04:01 GMT, from one of China’s nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific. The missile landed in “designated waters” in the Pacific, the state news agency said.
China described the launch as part of its regular annual military training, according to Xinhua. The agency said the test was not aimed at any specific target.
Australia calls test destabilising
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said China had notified Canberra before the planned sea-based missile test into the Pacific. Speaking at a news conference in Suva, Fiji, Wong called the launch “destabilising” for the region.
Wong linked Australia’s concern to what she described as China’s rapid military expansion. She said Australia had made clear that the test came in the context of a Chinese military build-up that lacked the transparency and reassurance about intent expected by countries in the region.
Japan says it urged China to reconsider
Japan’s government said it had also been informed of the missile launch and had asked China to rethink the test. Tokyo said it had expressed “grave concern” over increased activity by the Chinese military.
The Japanese government said China’s authorities notified Japan’s coastguard on Sunday about falling space debris that could come down inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. The statement did not report damage or injuries.
New Zealand objects to South Pacific testing
New Zealand said it was told about the planned launch only within hours of the test taking place. Foreign Minister Winston Peters described the launch as an “unwelcome and concerning development” in a statement issued by the government.
Peters said New Zealand and other Pacific countries had no interest in China using the South Pacific as a site for testing missile capability. His comments added to objections from governments that said they had been notified but remained concerned about the implications of the launch.
The test came amid wider scrutiny of China’s military activity in the region, according to the statements from Australia and Japan. China, through Xinhua, maintained that the launch was a routine training arrangement and not directed at a target.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.