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China has announced that it has carried out a test launch of a non-nuclear missile in the Pacific Ocean. Countries in the region had previously reported being warned of an imminent test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. “A nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine successfully launched a strategic missile equipped with a simulated warhead in international waters in the Pacific Ocean at 12:01 pm on July 6,” a Chinese Navy spokesperson said in a statement published on the WeChat social media platform.
The reactions of Japan, New Zealand and Australia
The launch sparked strong reactions among countries in the region. The Japanese government, in a note, explains that it has “strongly asked Beijing to reconsider the test of a ballistic missile so that it does not pose a threat to Japan’s security by passing through our airspace”.
“The Pacific is an ocean of peace and we are deeply concerned by China’s tests of nuclear-capable weapons in the South Pacific,” New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement, according to which the launch “is not compatible with regional stability.” According to the Australian authorities, the test risks “destabilizing the South Pacific”. “Australia has made it clear to China that we consider this to be a destabilizing act for the region,” Canberra’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, told reporters.
Beijing’s version and the exercises with Russia
The missile “landed precisely within the pre-established maritime zone”, underlined the Beijing Navy, without providing further details on the exact location. The test coincides with the start of annual joint Russian-Chinese naval exercises off the coast of Qingdao, a major military port and seaside resort in eastern China. «This test launch is part of China’s routine annual military exercises – Beijing stated in its press release –, the countries concerned have been informed in advance, in accordance with international law and practice. This launch was not directed against any specific country or target.”
Kremlin support
China has the “sovereign right” to test its missiles and does not pose a threat to any other country. This was stated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the launch of the strategic missile carried out by Chinese forces in the Pacific Ocean. «We believe it is China’s sovereign right to test its missiles and engage in military construction. China – added Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, quoted by the Interfax agency – does not threaten any country in the region, nor anyone in the world. China is our great ally and partner.”
Joint naval exercises between Russia and China were also launched to coincide with the missile launch. They “are not directed against anyone, nor against any state in the region, and everyone should start from this”, underlined Peskov. «On the contrary – he stated – cooperation in such an important sector between Russia and China is a very important factor that contributes to predictability and security in the region».