On Monday, China's Navy conducted a missile test in the South Pacific, where a nuclear submarine launched a missile with a dummy warhead into international waters. This test, reported by state media, has drawn significant criticism from US allies in the region, including Australia, Japan, and New Zealand, who view it as a destabilizing act for regional security.
Details of China's Missile Test
The missile, identified as part of the Julang-3 series, is still under development. According to Lieutenant Colonel Zhang Junshe, a researcher with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Naval Military Academic Research Institute, the missile is a submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a maximum range of 12,000 kilometers (7,400 miles) and the capability to carry multiple nuclear warheads. Zhang noted that the missile targets strategic infrastructures rather than front-line combat troops.
China has conducted three successful tests of the Julang-3 series between 2018 and 2019. The recent missile was reportedly launched from a Type 094 Jin-class nuclear-powered submarine, which can sustain a crew of 120 for at least 70 days underwater. Currently, the Chinese Navy operates six Type 094 submarines.
International Reactions to the Missile Launch
The missile test has prompted strong reactions from neighboring countries. Penny Wong, Australia's Foreign Minister, labeled the test as destabilizing, while Japan urged China to reconsider its actions. New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed deep concern over China's nuclear-capable weapons testing in the Pacific.
