China conducts nuclear-capable missile test in Pacific; regional countries raise alarm

China on Monday said it had successfully carried out a strategic missile test in the Pacific Ocean, with the missile accurately striking its designated target after being launched from a nuclear-powered submarine.

According to China's navy, the missile carried a dummy training warhead and was launched at 12:01 PM local time by a strategic nuclear submarine of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Beijing described the launch as part of routine military training and said the missile landed in a pre-designated area of the high seas.

The test has drawn attention across the Indo-Pacific, where countries have increasingly expressed concerns over China's expanding military capabilities and growing presence in the region.

China says launch was part of routine training

In a statement carried by news agency AFP, PLAN spokesperson Wang Xuemeng said the submarine "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."

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China did not disclose the specific type of missile involved. Earlier media reports had suggested that Beijing was preparing to test a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) fitted with a dummy warhead.

The launch follows China's rare ICBM test in September 2024, which had also attracted international attention and highlighted the country's advancing long-range strike capabilities.

Countries express concerns over missile test

Regional countries have expressed serious concerns over the missile test, which reports suggest is a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said, "The Pacific is an Ocean of Peace and we are deeply concerned by China's testing of nuclear-capable weapons into the South Pacific," adding that the launch "is not consistent with regional stability".

"It appears that despite our long-standing concerns about this type of activity, China carried out the test within hours of informing us," Peters said in a statement quoted by the Associated Press.

Japan also said it had strongly urged China to reconsider a test missile launch in the Pacific Ocean.

"We strongly called for a rethink of the ballistic missile test-firing, so that it won't pose a threat to Japan's security such as by passing through Japan's airspace."

Earlier, Reuters had reported that diplomats across the Pacific had been alerted to an impending missile test within a 24-hour window.

Tracking ships positioned across the Pacific

Data from New Zealand-based Starboard Maritime Intelligence showed three Chinese satellite-tracking vessels deployed across the Pacific ahead of the launch.

According to the company, two of the vessels left China around June 25 and are currently positioned near the Federated States of Micronesia. A third vessel, which departed in early May, is docked in Suva, the capital of Fiji.

Mark Douglas, an analyst at Starboard Maritime Intelligence, told Reuters the ships are equipped with large satellite-tracking systems used to monitor missile launches and space activities, suggesting the deployment had been planned well in advance.

The missile test is likely to add to increasing scrutiny of China's military activities as Indo-Pacific nations continue to strengthen security partnerships amid an evolving strategic environment.