China announced the successful launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean, a move likely to heighten concerns about the country’s growing nuclear capabilities.
The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force launched the ICBM, equipped with a dummy warhead, at 8:44 a.m. Beijing time (0044 GMT) on September 24.
According to a statement from the Chinese defense ministry, the missile “fell into expected sea areas” and the launch was part of a “routine arrangement in our annual training plan.” The ministry emphasized that it was not directed at any specific country or target.
China had “informed the countries concerned in advance,” a separate report from Xinhua noted, though the exact path of the missile and its landing spot in the “high seas of the Pacific Ocean” were not specified.
Xinhua added that the launch “effectively tested the performance of weapons and equipment and the training level of the troops, and achieved the expected goal.”
A map published in Chinese media depicted the target area as a circle within a region formed by the Solomon Islands, Nauru, the Gilbert Islands, Tuvalu, western Samoa, Fiji, and the New Hebrides. Analysts noted that such long-range missile tests into the sea are rare for China, which typically prefers to conduct missile tests in more isolated areas like Inner Mongolia.
Rocketry has long been integral to China’s rise as a global power, fueling both nationalism and the economic growth that has propelled the nation to become the world’s second-largest economy. Despite its expanding military presence, China upholds a “no first use” policy regarding nuclear weapons, even as its regional ambitions grow.
Both the U.S. and non-governmental organizations have expressed concerns over China’s missile development, citing reports of an expanding number of missile silos. However, it remains unclear how many missiles or nuclear warheads have been added to China’s arsenal.
Although China maintains its rivalry with the U.S. on the global stage, territorial disputes with Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and other neighboring countries continue to pose the risk of military confrontations.