China Fires 1 Long-Range Missile into South Pacific as Australia, New Zealand Condemn Test
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 6
China Fires 1 Long-Range Missile into South Pacific as Australia, New Zealand Condemn Test
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 6
Summary
Australia called the launch “destabilising” after China fired a long-range, nuclear-capable missile with a dummy warhead into designated South Pacific waters on Monday.
Xinhua said a PLA Navy strategic submarine carried out the test as part of annual training, but Australia and New Zealand said they were notified only hours beforehand.
New Zealand said the missile was fired into the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, while Japan said it had urged China not to proceed and voiced serious concern over Beijing’s growing military activity.
Three Chinese satellite-tracking vessels were already positioned across the Pacific, suggesting the test had been planned well in advance despite the late notice to regional governments.
The launch came hours after Australia and Fiji signed a mutual defence pact, sharpening regional suspicion that Beijing was signaling against closer Pacific ties with Canberra.