China test-fires strategic submarine missile in Pacific

China on Monday successfully test-fired a long-range strategic missile from one of its nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific Ocean, drawing sharp reactions from Japan and Australia.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy said that one of its nuclear submarines successfully launched a strategic missile carrying a dummy warhead toward the relevant high seas of the Pacific Ocean at 12.01 pm, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The missile landed precisely within the designated waters, the report said.

The test launch is a routine arrangement of the annual training of the PLA Navy, the Navy said, adding that the Chinese side has already notified relevant countries in advance. The test launch complies with international law and international practice, and is not directed at any specific country or target, the Navy said, without identifying the missile and its range. Japan and Australia, which confirmed they had been given advance notice of the launch, criticised China for the test, saying that it reflected China’s heavy military build-up in the region.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the launch was “destabilising to the region.” “Australia has been clear that this proposed test is in the context of a rapid military build-up by China, which is lacking in the transparency and reassurance as to intent that the region expects,” she was quoted as saying by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.

“Destabilising acts can lead to miscalculation, can lead where we do not want these actions to lead. I think China is aware of Australia’s position,” Senator Wong was quoted as saying by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “The Pacific Island Forum leaders have made clear they want the Pacific to be an ocean of peace. We regard this proposed test as counter to that.”