China Conducts Submarine-Launched Missile Test in Pacific
China's military test-fired a missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, state media reported, drawing criticism and concern from Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan. The People's Liberation Army Navy submarine launched the missile, carrying a dummy warhead, toward international waters at 12:01 p.m. (0401 GMT), according to the official Xinhua news agency.
Routine Training or Strategic Signal?
Xinhua described the launch as a "routine arrangement" of China's annual military training and not directed against any specific country or target. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the launch was conducted "safely, in a standardised and professional manner throughout" and urged relevant countries not to "over-interpret the matter."
Likely JL-3 Missile Deployment
Xinhua did not specify the missile type, but state-controlled tabloid Global Times, citing a military expert, said it was likely the JL-3, China's most advanced submarine-launched missile, which debuted at a military parade last year. According to a Pentagon report, the JL-3 could reach the continental United States from Chinese coastal waters.
Regional Reactions and Analysis
Pacific regional powers Australia, New Zealand, and Japan were given only a short period of advance notice about the test, which coincided with the signing in Fiji of a mutual defence pact between that island nation and Australia. Meia Nouwens, a senior fellow for Chinese security and defence policy at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, noted that "the US and others will be watching and analysing the test launch closely for any insights into PLA capability."
