Overview
- China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy said a nuclear-powered submarine launched a strategic missile carrying a dummy warhead that landed in designated high seas, with the test occurring at 12:01 p.m. on Monday.
- Beijing described the launch as routine annual training that complied with international law and said relevant governments were notified in advance, though it did not identify the missile type.
- Australia, New Zealand and Japan publicly criticised the test as destabilising and expressed serious concern about transparency and intent, with Australia calling for regional cooperation to protect Pacific decision‑making.
- The launch took place the same day Australia signed a mutual‑defence pact with Fiji and as China prepared or began naval exercises with Russia, a timing regional officials say adds geopolitical significance.
- Analysts say the event continues a trend of expanding Chinese sea‑based nuclear forces and rare long‑range Pacific tests, a development that raises legal and treaty tensions with the South Pacific Nuclear‑Free Zone and could drive closer security ties among Pacific partners.