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China·Australia & Oceania·Nuclear·Armed Conflicts

China fires submarine-launched missile into Pacific in nuclear-capable test[Updated]

Monday, 6 July 2026, 06:24 · 1 min read
Updates
6d

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters described the test as "deeply concerning," while Japan and Taiwan also voiced criticism. The missile, confirmed by the United States as an intercontinental-range ballistic missile, is believed to have splashed down near Tuvalu in the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone. Washington said it had monitored the launch and urged Beijing to engage in meaningful arms control discussions and adopt regularized notification arrangements in line with commitments made by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. The test came hours after Australia and Fiji signed a defence pact — dubbed the Ocean of Peace alliance — committing each country to come to the other's aid in the event of an attack, with commentators linking the timing of the missile launch to that agreement.

Sources
Original story

China's navy launched a submarine-based strategic missile carrying a dummy warhead into "designated waters" of the Pacific Ocean on Monday, state news agency Xinhua reported. Beijing described the test as a routine part of its annual military training and said relevant countries had been notified in advance, adding that it was consistent with international law and not directed at any specific nation. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the launch "destabilising to the region," saying it was inconsistent with Pacific Island Forum leaders' vision of the Pacific as an ocean of peace, while acting Prime Minister Richard Marles confirmed China had informed Canberra of its intentions on the day of the test.

Sources
NHK World中国海軍 戦略ミサイル1発発射 訓練用模擬弾頭搭載 新華社通信 ↗︎The GuardianAustralia news live: China conducts long-range missile test in the Pacific as Wong calls it ‘destabilising to region’ ↗︎
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