On Monday, the People’s Liberation Army Navy fired a “strategic missile” with a training warhead into the Pacific from a nuclear submarine.Image: KEYSTONE
Jul 7, 2026, 4:48 amJul 7, 2026, 4:48 am
The US has criticized China’s latest missile test and called on Beijing to honor its obligations as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. “At a time when the United States is working harder than ever to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, China is doing exactly the opposite,” a US State Department spokesman said in a statement.
China should take part in constructive talks on arms control, Washington demanded. In addition, Beijing should commit to a regulated agreement for notification of launches of all intercontinental and space missiles in accordance with the obligations of Security Council members, it said.
Beijing speaks of routine exercises
The day before, the People’s Liberation Army Navy fired a “strategic missile” with a training warhead into the Pacific from a nuclear submarine. The military initially did not provide any further information. A photo released later by the army is said to show the rocket being launched from the sea.
Taiwan, under pressure from the Chinese military over Beijing’s territorial claims, condemned the test. This shows once again that the use of military deterrence as a political instrument does not help stability in the region, but rather increases the fears of neighboring countries, explained the Foreign Ministry in Taipei. Other countries also criticized the missile test. Beijing, on the other hand, spoke of a routine exercise that was not directed against a single country and was in accordance with international law.
Details of rocket used
According to US information, the ICBM landed in the South Pacific. Taiwan’s Secretary-General of the National Security Council, Joseph Wu, published a map on the online platform X that showed the landing area between the South Sea islands of Tonga and Nauru.
Firing an ICBM is considered a show of force. According to military observers, China may have used a JL-2 rocket or the newer JL-3 model (“Julang” – Enormous Wave) in the rare test. The missiles were developed to launch nuclear submarines, can carry nuclear warheads and, depending on the type, fly up to 10,000 kilometers. (sda/dpa)