China’s navy has confirmed the successful launch of a test missile into the Pacific Ocean during what it described as a routine military exercise.
According to the Chinese military, the launch took place at 12:01 pm on July 6. A strategic nuclear submarine of the People’s Liberation Army Navy carried out the operation.
Officials said the missile carried a training simulation warhead. They added that it accurately landed in the designated sea area.
Beijing says relevant countries received advance notice
China maintained that the exercise formed part of its annual military training programme.
“At 12:01 pm on July 6, a strategic nuclear submarine of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy successfully launched a… strategic missile carrying a training simulation warhead into the relevant high seas of the Pacific Ocean, accurately landing in the designated sea area,”
The military also stated:
“This missile test launch is a routine arrangement of China’s annual military training, and relevant countries were informed in advance,”
The statement emphasised that Beijing had notified the concerned countries before conducting the launch.
Missile launch coincides with China-Russia naval exercises
The missile launch took place on the same day that China and Russia were scheduled to begin their annual joint naval exercises off Qingdao.
Qingdao serves as one of China’s major military ports and an important naval base.
However, Chinese authorities did not clarify whether the missile launch formed part of the joint military drills.
Regional governments acknowledged receiving notification
Earlier, officials from several Pacific nations confirmed that China had informed them about the planned missile activity.
Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said Beijing had contacted him before the launch.
“Yes, China has briefed me. I was personally called by the Chinese ambassador,”
Meanwhile, a New Zealand government source also confirmed that Chinese authorities had provided advance notice of an upcoming intercontinental ballistic missile test.
However, officials did not specify where the missile was expected to land.
Launch follows China’s previous Pacific missile test
The latest exercise comes nearly two years after China conducted another long-range missile launch over international waters.
In September 2024, China’s Rocket Force launched a dummy warhead into waters near French Polynesia.
At the time, defence analysts said the missile appeared to be one of China’s advanced Dong Feng-31 systems, which is capable of carrying a thermonuclear warhead.
The missile landed in an area of the Pacific Ocean covered by an international nuclear-free zone treaty.
That launch marked China’s first long-range missile test over international waters in more than four decades.
Pacific security concerns continue to grow
China’s military activities in the Pacific have continued to attract attention across the region.
According to an internal assessment by New Zealand’s Defence Force, Beijing’s naval deployments and ballistic missile tests are expected to become a persistent feature of the Pacific security environment.
As China expands its military presence, regional governments continue to closely monitor developments while maintaining communication with Beijing over future military exercises.
