China Confirms Strategic Missile Test Over Pacific

China on Monday said it test-fired a strategic missile carrying a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean as part of a routine military exercise, drawing swift criticism from several countries in the region.

According to the Chinese navy, the missile was launched from a nuclear submarine and landed in a designated area of the Pacific. While Beijing did not specify the missile type, New Zealand said it was a nuclear-capable long-range ballistic missile, with analysts suggesting it may have been the JL-3 or JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile.

China described the launch as part of its annual military training and said countries in the region were notified in advance. However, New Zealand, Australia and Japan condemned the exercise, warning that it could undermine regional peace and security.

The launch came as China began joint naval exercises with Russia off Qingdao and continued expanding its military capabilities. According to the Pentagon, China had more than 500 operational nuclear warheads in 2023 and could exceed 1,000 by 2030.