‘Destabilising’ Chinese ballistic missile test in Pacific prompts government concerns

China has test-fired a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile armed with a dummy warhead in the Pacific Ocean, a move that has been labelled “destabilising to the region” by the Australian government.

The test was confirmed by China’s navy which reported the firing of a “strategic missile” in the Pacific earlier today.

In a statement posted to social media a PLA-Navy spokesperson said the missile was launched from a submarine and landed within the target zone in the Pacific.

“This test launch is a routine arrangement of the annual training of the Chinese PLA Navy,” Senior Captain Wang Xuemeng said in the statement.

“The Chinese side has already notified relevant countries in advance.

“This test launch complies with international law and international practice and is not directed at any specific country or target.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Australian government had been informed the test would occur but argued the move lacked “the transparency and reassurance” that Pacific neighbours expected.

“Destabilising acts can lead to miscalculation, can lead where we do not want these actions to lead. I think China is aware of Australia’s position,” Senator Wong told 7.30.

“Pacific Islands Forum leaders have made clear they want the Pacific to be an ocean of peace. We regard this proposed test as counter to that.”

A similar missile test conducted in late 2024 was strongly criticised by a number of countries in the region, while Australia raised the matter in meetings with Chinese leaders.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles indicated that the government was alarmed by the plans.

“This is a long-range missile test and we are very concerned about any actions that undermine the stability, peace and security of the Pacific,” he said.

“We are completely committed to the [Blue Pacific] Ocean of Peace Declaration that was made by the Pacific Islands Forum last year, and our primary focus, our primary concern, is on maintaining the peace and security of the Pacific.”

Missile test comes following Fiji pact

News of the missile test broke just hours after Australia and Fiji announced a surprise new military pact, elevating the two countries’ military alliance to the highest levels.

The Ocean of Peace Alliance includes a mutual defence obligation that would require either country to respond should the other come under military attack.

But Mr Marles said he did not believe the missile test was in any way a response to the new pact.

Asked about the possibility China might respond poorly to news of the pact, Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said he was not expecting problems.

“I do not expect China to [push back severely] on either government, and I believe that they will welcome the understanding that it is between Australia and Fiji,” he said.

“It does not threaten Fiji’s relationship with China, nor Australia’s relationship with China.

“As we have made it very clear in the past, your enemies are not necessarily my enemies.”

Test-fire draws criticisms

New Zealand’s foreign minister Winston Peters said his country was “deeply concerned” by the test.

In a statement, Mr Peters said this now appeared to be a “recurring pattern” from China given it was the second test in only a few years and would be part of discussions with Pacific partners.

“New Zealand considers this an unwelcome and concerning development,” he said.

“We, like our neighbours in other Pacific countries, have no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing site for missile capability.”

He said the testing could not be allowed to become “normalised or routine”.

Japanese chief cabinet secretary Kihara Minoru also expressed concerns.

“From the standpoint of the security of Japan and the region, the government has concerns in regard to this missile launch,” he said, as reported by Reuters.

“We will continue to maintain the highest level of vigilance and surveillance, while closely monitoring related developments.”

The test also drew criticism from Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Ted O’Brien who labelled it unwelcome and unhelpful.

“This is irresponsible and it is not welcomed,” he said.

“On the very day that Australia is joining with one of its closest Pacific neighbours to talk about an ocean of peace, the People’s Republic of China has chosen to lob a missile into the region.

“I think it goes to a very clear contrast between what the People’s Republic of China is looking to this region for, compared to Australia.”