China’s military test-fired a missile from a nuclear submarine into the Pacific on Monday, state media reported, drawing criticism and concerns from Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

A nuclear submarine of the People’s Liberation Army Navy launched the missile carrying a dummy warhead toward international waters in the Pacific at 12:01 p.m. (0401 GMT), China’s official Xinhua news agency said.

Xinhua described the launch as a “routine arrangement” of China’s annual military training and said it was not directed against any specific country or target.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said China had notified the government of the planned test, but said the launch was “destabilising” for the region.

Japan’s government said it received notification of the missile launch and urged China to reconsider.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the country was deeply concerned by the test, adding that it had been informed “within hours” of the launch.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.