China test-launches ballistic missile from sub in South Pacific, draws protests
Summary
China test-launched a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine in the South Pacific. The launch, which carried a dummy warhead and was part of routine training, drew protests from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan because it occurred in a nuclear-free zone.Key Facts
- The missile launch took place on a Monday at 12:01 p.m. from a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine.
- The missile carried a dummy warhead, meaning it was not armed with a real weapon.
- China said the test was routine, followed international law, and was not aimed at any country.
- The launch occurred in the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, established by the Treaty of Rarotonga, which bans nuclear weapons testing in the region.
- China ratified rules in 1987 promising not to test nuclear weapons or threaten countries in that zone.
- New Zealand was informed only hours before the test and expressed concern about the timing.
- Australia and Fiji signed a new defense treaty the same day, aimed at balancing China’s influence in the Pacific.
- Japan urged China to reconsider such tests to avoid threats to its security, especially missile flights near its airspace.
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