China conducts strategic missile test in Pacific ocean

China has successfully conducted a strategic missile test in the Pacific Ocean, with the Chinese Navy describing the exercise as part of its routine annual military training.

The missile launch took place at about 12:01 p.m. on Monday, according to a statement issued by the spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army Navy, Wang Xuemeng.

According to Mr Wang, a strategic nuclear submarine launched a strategic missile carrying a training simulation warhead into the high seas of the Pacific Ocean, where it accurately struck its designated target area.

“This missile test launch is a routine arrangement of China’s annual military training, and relevant countries were informed in advance,” he said.

The latest exercise comes less than two years after China’s People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force launched a dummy warhead into waters near French Polynesia in September 2024.

Military analysts at the time said the launch likely involved the advanced Dong Feng-31, a missile capable of carrying a thermonuclear warhead.

The projectile landed in a section of the Pacific designated as a nuclear-free zone under an international treaty.

Regional alert

The missile launch followed reports that several countries in the Pacific had been notified of China’s plans to conduct an intercontinental ballistic missile test.

Justin Tkatchenko confirmed that the Chinese government informed Papua New Guinea ahead of the exercise.

“Yes, China has briefed me. I was personally called by the Chinese ambassador,” Mr Tkatchenko said.

A New Zealand government source also confirmed that New Zealand received prior notification of the planned missile test, although the expected impact zone was not disclosed.

Coincides with China-Russia naval drills

The launch occurred on the same day that China and Russia were scheduled to begin their annual joint naval exercises off Qingdao, one of China’s major military ports.

Chinese authorities have not confirmed whether the missile launch formed part of the joint military drills.

The latest missile test comes amid growing concerns over China’s expanding military activities across the Pacific region.

According to reports, the New Zealand Defence Force has warned that China’s naval deployments and ballistic missile tests are likely to become a regular feature of the Pacific security landscape.

The development is expected to further heighten geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific, where military competition between major global powers has intensified in recent years.