China fired the missile into the Pacific from a nuclear submarine.Image: KEYSTONE
Jul 6, 2026, 9:01 amJul 6, 2026, 9:01 am
China’s army says it has fired a missile in the Pacific. The Navy announced that the test of the strategic missile with a training warhead was successful. The projectile was fired from a nuclear submarine and landed in the intended target area. The army initially did not provide any further information about a rather rare test of this type.
China’s People’s Liberation Army said it was a routine test as part of annual military exercises and in line with international law. Affected states were notified in advance. The army emphasized in its statement that the test was not directed against individual countries.
Rocket tests are rarely reported
Countries in the region expressed concern. “Australia has made it clear to China that we view this as destabilizing for the region,” said Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong, according to media reports about the exercise. Japan expressed concern to Beijing about Chinese military activities, the defense ministry said on the online platform X.
Penny Wong, Australia’s Foreign Minister, is very critical of the missile test.Image: keystone
China rarely announces tests of ballistic missiles that may also be able to carry nuclear warheads. In September 2024, the People’s Liberation Army surprisingly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile with a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean for the first time in decades. The test caused quite a stir at the time.
China begins exercise with Russia
China’s military regularly exercises on land, in the air and at sea. A naval exercise with Russian warships began on Monday in waters near the northern Chinese coastal city of Qingdao. The motto of the annual exercise this year is “responding together to threats to maritime security,” as the Ministry of Defense announced. (nil/sda/dpa)