A Chinese submarine has launched a nuclear-capable long-range missile with a dummy warhead in the Pacific Ocean, drawing speedy condemnations from Australia and New Zealand, which labelled the test destabilising and concerning.
The firing of the missile came just hours after Australia and Fiji struck a new defence alliance that commits them to come to each other’s aid if they come under attack.
Chinese state media outlet Xinhua reported that at 12.01pm today a “strategic nuclear submarine of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy successfully launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile carrying a simulated training warhead into the high seas of the Pacific Ocean”.
“The missile accurately landed in the designated area,” Xinhua reported.
“This missile test was a routine part of China’s annual military training program, and relevant countries had been notified in advance.
“It is in accordance with international law and practice and is not directed against any specific country or target.”
Diplomatic sources confirmed to this masthead that Chinese officials had briefed various regional governments, including Australia and New Zealand, about an intercontinental ballistic missile test in the Pacific today.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “Australia has been clear with China that we regard this as destabilising to the region.”
Speaking before confirmation the test had been carried out, Wong said it came “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”.
Wong said Pacific leaders had made clear “they want the Pacific to be an Ocean of Peace. We believe this test is inconsistent with that objective.”
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