China publicly announced it launched a ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific Ocean Monday — a rare acknowledgment of its sea-based nuclear capabilities that came as U.S. allies deepen security ties in the Indo-Pacific and NATO leaders prepare to meet amid growing concerns over Beijing’s military ambitions.

China’s Military Expansion

China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy said the missile, carrying a dummy warhead, was fired from a Type 094 Jin-class ballistic missile submarine during what Beijing described as a routine annual training exercise. The launch highlights one of the Pentagon’s biggest long-term concerns: China’s ability to field a more survivable nuclear force capable of threatening the U.S. and its allies from the sea.

The growing capability also means China could eventually threaten the U.S. homeland from a wider range of patrol areas, reducing the need for its submarines to venture into more vulnerable waters. Chinese officials said the launch landed in a designated area of the Pacific Ocean and was conducted in accordance with international law.

International Response

New Zealand, which had just signed a defense pact with Fiji, claimed the missile landed in the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, where testing atomic weapons is prohibited. Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong said China had informed Australia ahead of the test but added, ‘Australia has been clear with China that we regard this as destabilizing to the region.’ Japan raised ‘serious concern over the intensification of China’s military activities and strongly urged China to reconsider its actions.’

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.