China's military has carried out a missile test from a nuclear-powered submarine in the Pacific Ocean, drawing criticism from several regional governments despite Beijing describing the launch as part of its regular military training programme.
According to China's state-run Xinhua news agency, a People's Liberation Army Navy submarine launched a missile carrying a dummy warhead into international waters at 12:01 p.m. local time on Monday (6 July). The missile landed in what officials described only as "designated waters."
Chinese authorities said the exercise was a routine annual training activity and was "not directed against any specific country or target."
Australia, Japan and New Zealand all expressed concern over the launch, citing growing unease about China's expanding military capabilities.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canberra had been notified in advance but described the test as destabilising.
"Australia has been clear that this proposed test is in the context of a rapid military buildup by China, which is lacking in the transparency and reassurance as to intent that the region expects," Wong said during a visit to Fiji.
Japan confirmed it had received prior notification of the launch and urged Beijing to reconsider such activities.
Tokyo also said it had conveyed its "grave concern" over increased Chinese military activity.
According to Japanese officials, China's notification included a warning about potential falling debris near Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Japanese media later reported that the missile landed outside the country's EEZ.
New Zealand also criticised the launch, saying it had been informed only hours before the test took place.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters described the missile test as "an unwelcome and concerning development", adding that Pacific nations do not want the region used for missile testing.
The launch follows China's rare intercontinental ballistic missile test in 2024, which highlighted the country's expanding strategic military capabilities.
While Beijing maintains that its military exercises are routine, recent tests have drawn increasing international scrutiny as regional governments monitor China's growing defence activities and their implications for Indo-Pacific security.
At least seven people have been killed and more than 125 injured after two passenger trains collided in Egypt’s Giza province, south of Cairo...
A 24-year-old man who killed six people in Poland’s central city of Krakow had advanced military-style shooting skills, according to a s...
Monday marks the second of two days of national mourning in Poland as police bolstered security after six people were killed in a mass sh...
Poland has declared two days of national mourning after a gunman opened fire in Kraków's historic main square. Investigators are examining possible far-right influences and the discovery of three bodies at the suspect's home.
Monday marks the second of two days of national mourning in Poland as police bolstered security after six people were killed in a mass shooting in Kraków.
Russian forces launched a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv early on Saturday, 7 November, injuring two people and damaging residential buildings, just three days before U.S.-led peace talks with Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis said it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired by the Iran-aligned group towards Riyadh on Sunday (8 November), after loud booms were heard in the Saudi capital. The Aramco building was damaged by falling debris.
New Zealand’s ruling centre-right National Party has taken a narrow lead over the opposition Labour Party in Saturday’s general election, with the country’s current three-party coalition projected to retain power.
At least seven people have been killed and more than 125 injured after two passenger trains collided in Egypt’s Giza province, south of Cairo, on Sunday.
A 24-year-old man who killed six people in Poland’s central city of Krakow had advanced military-style shooting skills, according to a spokesperson for the gun club he attended.
Monday marks the second of two days of national mourning in Poland as police bolstered security after six people were killed in a mass shooting in Kraków.
Clashes between protesters and police erupted in Paris and Marseille on Saturday as demonstrations over rising living costs and declining public services continued for a fourth consecutive weekend across France.
Security measures have been stepped up in Antalya, Türkiye, ahead of the COP31 United Nations climate summit, which begins on Monday, 9 November, with thousands of additional personnel deployed across the Mediterranean city.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment