China’s navy test-launched a long-range ballistic missile in the South Pacific, drawing protests and concerns from countries in the region. The missile was launched at 12:01 p.m. local time and carried a dummy warhead, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

Regional Concerns

The launch was part of routine annual training, complied with international law and practice, and was not directed against any country or target, according to a short statement from Xinhua. However, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand criticized the launch, with Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong stating that Australia has been clear with China that it regards this as destabilizing to the region.

The New Zealand government said it was informed of the planned launch hours beforehand and noted that the missile was fired into the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone. The zone was established by the 1986 Treaty of Rarotonga, which prohibits nuclear weapons throughout the region. China ratified the protocols in 1987, pledging not to test nuclear weapons within the zone or threaten to use them against signatories with territory in the region.

China’s Military Expansion

China maintains a “no first use” of nuclear weapons policy, but is also actively pursuing nuclear technology and weaponry as part of its long-term strategy to modernize the People’s Liberation Army. China has a fleet of six ballistic-missile submarines and 59 nuclear-powered attack submarines, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a Washington-based think tank.

Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.