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.
Iran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States maintains its pause on strikes, but Tehran remains sceptical of U.S. intentions, a senior ...
A known Islamist suspected of driving a minivan into a crowd near a major LGBTQ Pride gathering in Berlin was shot dead during a police operation at a...
Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham "will always put Britain's interests first", he told the BBC in an interview when asked whether he was willi...
Russian authorities said 11 people, including four children, had been killed by Ukraine in an overnight attack on a holiday camp, accusing Kyiv on Saturday of deliberately targeting civilians.
Iran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States maintains its pause on strikes, but Tehran remains sceptical of U.S. intentions, a senior Iranian source told on Sunday.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 25th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto recently offered the dismissed Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Mykhailo Federov an adviser role in Italy.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Washington next week as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.
A known Islamist suspected of driving a minivan into a crowd near a major LGBTQ Pride gathering in Berlin was shot dead during a police operation at an allotment garden complex, broadcaster RBB reported on Sunday.
Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham "will always put Britain's interests first", he told the BBC in an interview when asked whether he was willing to call out U.S. President Donald Trump.
Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov has been shortlisted for the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament award at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with his strike against DR Congo named among the competition’s 12 best goals. The nomination places the Uzbek forward alongside some of world football’s biggest stars.
Firefighters battled on Sunday to contain wildfires threatening the outskirts of Bordeaux, as authorities expanded evacuation orders and warned the blazes were spreading rapidly during an intense heatwave across southern Europe.
Rescue teams were searching on Sunday for 17 people still missing after a Vietnamese cargo ship sank in the South China Sea, with 45 crew members rescued since the vessel sent out a distress signal the previous evening.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment