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China test-launched a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine in the South Pacific. The move drew protests from Australia and New Zealand and sharpened concerns over activity inside the nuclear-free zone.
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Bangkok,UPDATED: Jul 6, 2026 12:04 IST
China on Monday test-launched a long-range ballistic missile from one of its nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific, drawing protests and concerns from countries in the region.
The missile was launched at 12:01 pm and carried a dummy warhead, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Xinhua said the launch was part of routine annual training, complied with international law and practice, and was not directed against any country or target.
China last carried out a missile test in the Pacific two years ago, when it fired an intercontinental ballistic missile with a dummy warhead. Monday's statement from Xinhua was reposted by the Ministry of Defence.
Australia and New Zealand criticised the launch. The New Zealand government said it was informed of the planned launch hours beforehand and noted that the missile was fired into the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone.
The nuclear-free zone was set up under the 1986 Treaty of Rarotonga, which prohibits nuclear weapons throughout the region. In 1987, China ratified the protocols pledging not to test nuclear weapons within the zone, or to threaten to use them against signatories with territory in the region.
"It appears that despite our long-standing concerns about this type of activity, China carried out the test within hours of informing us," Foreign Minister Winston Peters told The Associated Press in a statement.
The launch took place on the same day that Australia and Fiji signed a new mutual defence treaty meant to counter Chinese influence in the Pacific. "Australia has been clear with China that we regard this as destabilising to the region," Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters in Fiji in response to the test.
The launch, described by China as a routine training exercise, prompted criticism from Australia and New Zealand and renewed attention on activity in the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone.
With PTI Inputs
- Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jul 6, 2026 12:04 IST
