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China’s Big Missile Launch
On Wednesday, China made headlines with a surprising event—a major missile test that captured the world’s attention. China’s military launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which flew over the northern part of the Philippines and into the Pacific Ocean. This kind of missile can travel incredibly far, and it was the first time China tested such a missile since the early 1980s.
The missile carried a “dummy” warhead, which means it didn’t have any real explosives on board. China’s defense ministry said the test was part of their “routine annual training.” However, the launch caused concern for many countries, especially given the increasing attention on China’s growing nuclear weapons stockpile.
The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) launched the missile at 8:44 in the morning, Beijing time. Afterward, China’s defense ministry said the missile fell in the expected area of the sea but didn’t give many details about where exactly it landed. They also emphasized that the test was not aimed at any specific country or target. While they assured everyone that it was part of regular training, some nations felt uneasy.
Reactions from Other Countries
China’s missile test made countries like Japan and the Philippines nervous. The Philippines confirmed that China had issued warnings about activities in the northern regions of the country two days before the launch. These warnings, known as NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), were sent to let planes and ships know that something was happening, but the Philippines didn’t know at the time that the operation involved an ICBM.
Japan, on the other hand, was not informed about the launch at all. The Japanese government expressed serious concern about China’s rapidly growing military power. Taiwan, another neighbouring country, mentioned that they had noticed more Chinese military activities recently, including missile launches, but they didn’t provide much information.
Analysts believe the missile was launched from Hainan, a tropical island in southern China, and landed near French Polynesia. French Polynesia, a group of islands in the South Pacific, lies thousands of miles from China. Authorities issued a NOTAM for the region near these islands. Warning the pilots and sailors to avoid the area due to a dangerous aerospace event. The warning remained in effect for about 105 minutes after the missile launch. The Countries in the Pacific region expressed concern.
New Zealand’s foreign minister labeled the test “unwelcome and concerning and. He emphasised that Pacific leaders seek a peaceful and stable region. Not a region where countries launch and test missiles.
China’s Missile Program and the Global Reaction
China has been building a large and advanced missile program over the years, regularly testing short- and mid-range rockets. These tests often happen in China or over waters in the western Pacific. However, testing an intercontinental ballistic missile is not something that happens often. The last time China tested such a long-range missile was over 40 years ago, in 1980.
Back then, China launched its first homegrown ICBM, the Dong Feng-5, into the Pacific. Experts now believe that Wednesday’s test may have involved a much more advanced missile, possibly the Dong Feng-41. The Dong Feng-41 has an incredible range of 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers, which means it could travel across the entire planet if needed. Others think it might have been an earlier version, the Dong Feng-31, which can fly between 7,200 and 8,000 kilometers.
While China often conducts military drills and tests missiles, an ICBM test is rare. The fact that it was fired into the Pacific Ocean, where other countries like Japan and the Philippines are nearby, makes it even more concerning.
A threat to Neighbours National Security
In 2022, China fired five missiles during a military drill that landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone, which is an area of the sea that Japan controls for things like fishing and energy. This event caused Japan to protest, saying that the missiles endangered its people and threatened national security. With this history, Japan is especially cautious about China’s military activities.
While China said it notified concerned countries about the missile test in advance, it’s unclear who exactly they warned. China did not inform Japan before the launch. It also failed to provide French Polynesia, whose waters were near the missile’s suspected landing area, with specific details about the test.
The launch also came at a time when the world is paying more attention to China’s nuclear capabilities. Many countries are increasingly worried about China’s military buildup, especially as it continues to expand its missile program. Intercontinental ballistic missiles are particularly dangerous because they can carry nuclear warheads and hit targets thousands of kilometres away.
Way Forward
For now, the missile test has raised alarms but hasn’t led to any direct actions or responses from the countries involved. The growing tension in the region and China’s expanding military power have made it clear that other nations are watching closely.
China’s missile test in the Pacific was described as a routine part of its military drills. But it has left many countries wondering what it means for the future. As the world continues to monitor military actions by China. This ICBM launch has undoubtedly added to the list of concerns shared by China’s neighbours and countries worldwide.