China tests submarine-launched ballistic missile in Pacific, drawing sharp rebukes from Australia, Japan and New Zealand
A Chinese nuclear-powered submarine fired a strategic missile into the South Pacific on 6 July, triggering protests from Australia, Japan and New Zealand who called the launch destabilising and lacking transparency.
The test
A People's Liberation Army Navy nuclear-powered submarine launched a strategic missile carrying a dummy warhead at 12:01 local time (04:01 GMT) on 6 July 2026. The projectile landed in a pre-designated area of international waters in the Pacific Ocean, according to a statement carried by the state-run Xinhua news agency. China described the event as a routine annual training activity, adding that relevant countries had been notified in advance and that the launch was not aimed at any nation or specific target.
This launch is part of China's routine annual military exercises. Prior notification was sent to the relevant countries in accordance with international law and practice. This launch does not target any country or specific target.
The test occurred on the same morning that Chinese and Russian navies began annual joint exercises off the eastern port city of Qingdao, though no official link between the two events has been established.
- China notifies Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea of planned missile test.
- Nuclear-powered submarine launches strategic missile with dummy warhead into Pacific.
- Australia and Fiji sign Ocean of Peace Alliance defence pact in Suva.
- China and Russia begin annual naval exercises off Qingdao.
- Australia, Japan and New Zealand issue statements criticising the test.
Regional reactions
Australia, Japan and New Zealand all voiced strong objections. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, speaking from Suva, Fiji, said Beijing had given prior notice but that the test was "destabilising" and lacked the transparency the region expects.
This test takes place against the backdrop of a rapid build-up of China's military capabilities, a process that lacks the transparency and assurances about its intentions that the region expects.
Japan said it had urged China to reconsider, warning that debris could fall inside its exclusive economic zone. Kyodo News later reported, citing a government source, that the missile fell outside the Japanese EEZ. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed deep concern, noting that Wellington was informed only hours before the launch.
The Pacific is an ocean of peace and we are deeply concerned by China's testing of nuclear-capable weapons. This launch is not compatible with regional stability.
Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko confirmed he had received a personal call from the Chinese ambassador ahead of the test.
Nuclear-free zone tension
New Zealand emphasised that the launch took place inside the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, established by the 1986 Treaty of Rarotonga. China ratified the treaty's protocols in 1987, committing not to test nuclear weapons within the zone or threaten their use against signatory states. Peters said the test went ahead despite Wellington's long-standing objections to such activities.
Diplomatic backdrop
The missile launch coincided with the signing of a new defence pact between Australia and Fiji. The Ocean of Peace Alliance is Fiji's first military alliance and Australia's fourth, after those with the United States, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged more than A$1 billion over ten years for transnational crime fighting, health and infrastructure projects in Fiji. Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said he expected Beijing to view the agreement "with understanding".
