Elbahrain.net China claims to have fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean with success, carrying a dummy warhead. The test launch was “normal” and a part of the ICMB’s “annual training,” according to Beijing’s defense ministry. The spacecraft was launched on Wednesday at 08:44 local time (04:44 GMT) and “dropped into expected sea areas.”
Although the sort of missile and its trajectory were still unknown, Beijing had “advised the countries involved in advance,” according to Chinese state media.
Later, Japan claimed to have had “no notice” of the test launch.
China primarily tests its nuclear weapons domestically, however it has also fired intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) westward into the Taklamakan Desert in the Xinjiang province.
This is believed to be the first time since 1980 that it launched an ICBM into international waters.
The announcement of this event on X was made for the first time in a long time, unless I am missing something, according to Ankit Panda, a nuclear weapons analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
“Given that they do not perform this sort of thing either frequently or yearly,” he continued, Beijing’s designation of the test as “normal” and “annual” seemed peculiar.
On Wednesday, the Japanese authorities declared that China had not informed them in advance of the ICBM launch.
Reporters were informed in advance by government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi that “there was no notice from the Chinese side.”
The ministry of defense for Japan had earlier declared that its vessels were unharmed.
According to Japanese station NHK, the ministry stated early on Wednesday afternoon, “We will continue to gather and analyze information on the actions of the Chinese military and will take all necessary safeguards in our surveillance and monitoring.”
China conducted an ICBM test in May 1980, which had a 9,070km flight and a Pacific landing. That test, which featured eighteen Chinese naval vessels, is still regarded as one of China’s most significant naval operations.
Drew Thompson, a visiting research fellow at Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, stated on X that “timing is crucial.”
“[China’s] statement says it does not target any country, yet there is ongoing conflict with Taiwan and high levels of friction with Japan and the Philippines.”
He went on, “The launch is a potent signal meant to scare everyone.”
According to US-based defense researcher John Ridge, China might have carried out the test as a way to “posture or signal to the United States.”
Although Beijing and Washington’s relationship has improved over the past year, China’s growing assertiveness in the area continues to be a topic of contention.
China and the Philippines’ ships have been colliding in contested waters on a regular basis, which has escalated tensions between them. Japan dispatched fighter planes last month in response to what it called a “utterly unacceptable” accusation that a Chinese spy plane had violated its airspace.
