China’s military test-fired a missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific yesterday, state media reported, drawing criticism and concern from Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan.
A People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy submarine launched the missile, carrying a dummy warhead, toward international waters in the Pacific at 12.01pm (0401 GMT), the official Xinhua news agency said.
It described the launch as a ‘routine arrangement’ of China’s annual military training and not directed against any specific country or target. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the launch was conducted ‘safely, in a standardised and professional manner throughout’.
Xinhua did not specify what type of missile China had launched. State-controlled tabloid Global Times, citing a military expert, said it was likely to have been the JL-3, China’s most advanced submarine-launched missile, which debuted at a military parade last year. That missile could reach the continental US from Chinese coastal waters, according to a Pentagon report.
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