Published On 7/6/2026
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Last updated: 7/7/2026 03:15 (Mecca time)
The United States expressed its “deep concern” after China conducted a test launch of a “strategic” missile carrying a mock warhead from a submarine in the Pacific Ocean.
The US State Department said in a statement yesterday, Monday: “At a time when the United States is making strenuous efforts – more than ever before – to prevent nuclear proliferation, China is doing exactly the opposite,” and considered that “the rapid and mysterious expansion of Beijing’s nuclear arsenal constitutes a source of grave concern for the region and the world.”
The ministry called on China to adhere to a mechanism for advance notification of intercontinental missile launches and space launches, and called on Beijing to “engage in serious and effective discussions” on arms control.
Yesterday, Monday, the Chinese Navy announced that it had successfully conducted a test launch of a missile in the Pacific Ocean, after warnings from countries in the region that Beijing was planning to test an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Chinese Navy spokesman Wang Xueming said in a statement published on her account on the Chinese WeChat application: “At 12:01 noon on July 6, a strategic nuclear submarine belonging to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy successfully launched… a strategic missile, carrying a training warhead, towards the high seas in the Pacific Ocean, where it landed precisely in the designated maritime area.”
The Chinese news agency (Xinhua) reported that the Chinese army conducted a test launch of a missile from a nuclear submarine towards the Pacific Ocean yesterday, Monday.
The agency explained that a nuclear submarine belonging to the People’s Liberation Army Navy launched the missile – which carried a dummy warhead – towards international waters in the Pacific Ocean at 04:01 GMT. The official agency added that the missile fell in the “specified” area, without going into additional details about the location.
Xinhua described the launch as a “routine arrangement” within China’s annual military exercises, and stressed that it was not directed against any specific country or target.
Growing anxiety
For her part, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned that China’s test launch of a long-range missile in the South Pacific would “destabilize” the region.
The minister told reporters: “Australia has made it clear to China that we consider this matter to be destabilizing for the region.” China’s confirmation of this experience came hours after Australia signed a defense alliance agreement with the Fiji Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
In Japan, the government said it had received notification of the missile launch, and urged China to reconsider its decision.
Yesterday, Monday, Kyodo News Agency quoted a Japanese government source as saying that the missile fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said that his country is deeply concerned about this test, adding that it was informed of it hours before it was implemented.
He stated – in a statement – that “New Zealand considers this an unwelcome and worrying development. We – like our neighbors in the Pacific countries – do not want China to use the South Pacific Ocean as a site to test its missile capabilities.”
China conducted another of its intercontinental ballistic missile tests in 2024, in a rare launch that highlighted the country’s growing military capabilities.
Joint exercises with Russia
Last Sunday, the Chinese Ministry of Defense and Russian government media announced the organization of joint exercises between the Chinese and Russian naval forces in the waters and airspace off the Chinese city of Qingdao this month.
The ministry said in a statement: “After the end of the exercises, forces from both sides will head to certain areas in the Pacific Ocean to conduct joint naval patrols.”
The ministry added that these exercises are conducted annually “with the aim of jointly addressing security challenges and maintaining peace and stability in the region.”
The Russian Information Agency said that a large warship (cruiser) and a small warship (corvette), a diesel-electric submarine, and also a rescue ship belonging to the Russian Pacific Fleet; They all arrived in the Chinese city of Qingdao to participate in the exercises, which are scheduled to begin Monday and continue until July 13.
