US leads concern after China fired a long-range missile into Pacific ocean
China has test-fired a missile from a nuclear submarine that landed in “designated waters” in the Pacific Ocean, state news agency Xinhua reports, drawing criticism and concerns from the United States, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
The Chinese navy test-launched the long-range ballistic missile at 12:01pm (04:01 GMT) on Monday from one of its nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific, Xinhua reported.
Xinhua said the test was a “routine arrangement” of China’s annual military training and was not directed at any specific target.
The US State Department urged China to “engage in meaningful arms control discussions and commit to a regularised notification arrangement for all intercontinental-range ballistic missile and space launches”.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that China had notified the government of plans to conduct a sea-based missile test into the Pacific but said the action was “destabilising” to the region.
“Australia has been clear that this proposed test is in the context of a rapid military build-up 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.
Japan’s government said it was notified of the missile launch and had urged China to reconsider.
“We expressed our grave concern over the Chinese military’s increased activity,” the government said, adding that Japan’s coastguard had been notified on Sunday by Chinese authorities about falling space debris that could fall within Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
The New Zealand government said it was informed of the planned launch within hours of it taking place.
“New Zealand considers this an unwelcome and concerning development. We, like our neighbours in other Pacific countries, have no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing site for missile capability,” Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement.
We expressed our grave concern over the Chinese military’s increased activity,” the government said
Lmk when China starts a war and drags the entire world to the brink of economic collapse
It’s amazing how much air time first, the Ethnic Unity Law, and now this missile test has taken up the media cycle, it’s actually making me so annoyed.
Hell, if I was China I would be getting my military defence ready too. The US led west is becoming more unstable and unpredictable by the hour and have made it clear that targeting places that they have no way of defeating is on the table.
Also lol at Australia getting uppity over a nuclear sub when Australia is currently trying to build one themselves. Defence for me but not for thee I guess.
Are they trying to build their own now or are they still paying full price now for a used one at some vague time in the future?
The latter
Apparently the warning period was shorter than it’s supposed to be but watching nations backed by a usa that has war fleets fucking everywhere whinge about military flexing is irritating.
It does seem though if they had followed whatever notification process is expected that they would be undermining people’s ability to complain. Not sure why the silly chestbeating is going on
My complete guess is they didn’t want to give the US time to get a satellite in position to watch it and study their missile.
in meaningful arms control discussions
This just in: Vampires want townsfolk to engage in meaningful arms control discussions
destabilizing to the region
If your governments are unstable, that’s on you
China was just celebrating the US with some fireworks in the part of the ocean called the South China Sea. Australia is mad they dried up too much of the Outback and can’t have fireworks because they don’t have a sea of their own.
The imperialists should be outraged! And concerned!
This test is obviously a political statement of “don’t fuck with us”. The imperialists constantly need such reminders.
The gall of theae fuckers
Was this perceptible from any populated area?
The one last time where where they had to divert flights (they were also in the middle of nowhere in the ocean, not near any population) near Australia was really funny. This one, I’m pretty sure no.
I actually feel calmed and somewhat relieved when I’m reminded of Chinas nuclear arsenal and delivery methods and more so, when imperialist nations seem worried about it.
