China tests submarine-launched missile in Pacific, draws Japan-Australia criticism

China said on Monday that it had successfully carried out a test launch of a long-range strategic missile from one of its nuclear-powered submarines into the Pacific Ocean, a move that drew criticism from Japan and Australia. Beijing described the launch as part of its annual military training and said it had informed relevant countries in advance.

The Chinese military said the missile carried a dummy warhead and landed accurately in the designated waters. But Japan and Australia said the test reflected China’s military build-up in the region, with Canberra calling it “destabilising to the region”.

According to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy said one of its nuclear submarines launched the missile at 12.01 pm towards the relevant high seas of the Pacific Ocean. The Navy said the test launch was a routine arrangement of its annual training and that the Chinese side had already notified relevant countries in advance.