By China has publicly conducted its first test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean, a development that raises international concerns regarding the country’s nuclear arsenal. The launch, carried out by the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force at 8:44 AM Beijing time on Wednesday, involved an ICBM equipped with a dummy warhead, which fell into designated sea areas, according to the Chinese defense ministry. They described the test as part of a “routine arrangement in our annual training plan” and emphasized that it was not aimed at any specific country.
China informed relevant countries before the test, although details about the missile’s trajectory and the exact location of its landing in the Pacific were not disclosed. The launch aimed to assess the performance of military equipment and the training proficiency of troops, as reported by Xinhua.
Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted the unusual nature of the test, marking the first such public demonstration in decades. He explained that China typically conducts ICBM tests within its airspace, suggesting that this public launch reflects ongoing modernization efforts in China’s nuclear capabilities, driven by new requirements for testing.
The PLA Rocket Force is responsible for modernizing China’s nuclear forces, focusing on enhancing deterrent capabilities in response to advancements in U.S. missile defense systems and strengthened military alliances. While China maintains a “no first use” nuclear policy, analysts have raised concerns that its rapid nuclear buildup exceeds the threshold for credible minimum deterrence.
The Chinese military asserts that the Central Military Commission, under President Xi Jinping, is the sole authority for nuclear command. Currently, China possesses over 500 operational nuclear warheads, with approximately 350 categorized as ICBMs. Pentagon estimates suggest this number could exceed 1,000 by 2030, with many weapons maintained at higher readiness levels.
The launch coincides with heightened military activity near Taiwan, a territory China claims as its own. Taiwan’s defense ministry reported detecting 23 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighters and drones, conducting operations around the island, amid what they describe as intensified Chinese missile exercises.
As tensions escalate in the region, the implications of China’s missile test and its nuclear advancements will likely be scrutinized by the international community.
