China’s military test-fired a missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific on Monday, state media reported, drawing criticism and concerns from Japan, Australia and New Zealand over Beijing’s expanding military reach.
A nuclear submarine of the People’s Liberation Army Navy launched the missile carrying a dummy warhead toward international waters in the Pacific at 12:01 p.m. (0401 GMT), the official Xinhua news agency said.
The missile landed in “designated waters,” it added, without giving further details of the location.
Xinhua described the launch as a “routine arrangement” of China’s annual military training and said it was not directed against any specific country or target.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said China had notified the Australian government of the planned test, but described the launch as “destabilising” for the region.
The test was “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 told reporters at a news conference in the Fijian capital Suva.
The test comes just hours after Australia and Fiji signed a major defence alliance on Monday, committing each country to come to the other’s aid in case either is attacked.