China launches intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean for the first time in a decade

The People's Republic of China announced that on Wednesday, 25 September, it test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, firing it into the Pacific Ocean in the first exercise in years.

Here's What We Know

The launch sparked protests from other countries in the region, with China's neighbour Japan saying it was not warned in advance and expressing "serious concern" about Beijing's military build-up.

Beijing has stepped up its nuclear development and increased defence spending in recent years, with the Pentagon warning last October that China was developing its arsenal faster than the United States expected.

As of May 2023, China had more than 500 nuclear warheads and is likely to have more than 1,000 by 2030.

"This is extremely unusual, and probably the first time we've seen a test like this in decades," said Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

However, China's defence ministry described the test as "a normal pattern in the annual training plan".

"It is in accordance with international law and international practice and is not directed against any country or target," it said in a statement.

The Pentagon said that the United States had received "advance notice of this intercontinental ballistic missile test", describing it as a "step in the right direction" that helps prevent "misperceptions or miscalculations".

Interestingly, however, Australia said it was seeking "an explanation" for the launch, adding that it was "concerned about any actions that destabilise and increase the risk of miscalculation in the region".

Source: The Defence Post