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By The South Asia Times

BEIJING -  China has conducted a rare test of a missile launched from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific Ocean, drawing concern from Australia, Japan and New Zealand as regional tensions continue to rise over Beijing's expanding military capabilities and strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific, according to Reuters. 

China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that a submarine belonging to the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) fired the missile, carrying a dummy warhead, into international waters in the Pacific at 12:01 p.m. local time on Monday. Chinese authorities said the missile landed safely in a designated area but did not disclose the exact location.

Beijing described the launch as part of its annual military training program, stressing that it was a "routine arrangement" and was not directed against any specific country or target.

The test nevertheless triggered swift reactions from some neighboring countries.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that Canberra had received advance notification from Beijing about the missile launch but said the exercise was "destabilising" for the region.

Speaking in Fiji, where Australia signed a new defence agreement with the Pacific island nation on Monday, Wong said the launch came amid China's accelerated military buildup, which she argued lacked sufficient transparency.

"The test occurs in the context of a rapid military buildup by China that is lacking the transparency and reassurance as to intent that the region expects," Wong said.

The missile launch came only hours after Australia and Fiji signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance, a defence cooperation agreement under which both countries committed to assist each other in the event either nation comes under attack.

The timing has drawn attention from regional security analysts.

Mark Douglas, an analyst with New Zealand-based Starboard Maritime Intelligence, said the missile test had likely been planned well in advance but noted that Beijing's notification coinciding with the Australia-Fiji defence pact was "interesting, to say the least."

New Zealand also voiced concern over the launch.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Wellington had been informed only hours before the missile was fired, despite New Zealand's longstanding objections to ballistic missile activities in the South Pacific.

"New Zealand considers this an unwelcome and concerning development," Peters 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."

Japan similarly expressed concern after receiving advance notification from China.

Tokyo said it had urged Beijing to reconsider the launch and raised concerns over increasing Chinese military activity in the region.

Japanese authorities also confirmed they had received a navigation warning that space debris associated with the launch could fall within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). However, officials later said the missile landed outside Japan's EEZ and there were no reports of damage to aircraft or ships.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Japan would continue to closely monitor China's military activities.

Responding to criticism, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning defended the exercise, saying it was carried out "safely, in a standardized and professional manner."

She urged governments not to "overinterpret" the launch and reiterated that it was part of a routine military training schedule.

Asked about the newly signed Australia-Fiji defence agreement, Mao said China hoped regional countries would respect the independence of Pacific island nations and avoid actions that targeted third parties.

The launch is notable because China rarely conducts publicly acknowledged long-range missile tests into the Pacific Ocean. Its previous high-profile intercontinental ballistic missile test, conducted in 2024, underscored Beijing's growing strategic capabilities and expanding nuclear deterrent.

Military analysts say the latest exercise demonstrates another important component of China's strategic arsenal—its sea-based nuclear deterrent. Ballistic missiles launched from nuclear-powered submarines form one leg of the so-called nuclear triad, alongside land-based missiles and strategic bombers, providing countries with a survivable second-strike capability.

The test also comes amid heightened military activity across the Indo-Pacific. Taiwan's security officials said this week they are observing an increase in Chinese naval deployments during the current military exercise season, including expanded joint operations with Russia.

China has significantly increased its defence spending over the past two decades while rapidly expanding its navy, missile forces and strategic nuclear capabilities. Beijing says the buildup is necessary to safeguard its national sovereignty and security interests, while the United States and several regional governments argue that China's growing military footprint has heightened strategic competition and raised concerns about stability across the Indo-Pacific.

The latest missile launch is expected to further intensify debate over security in the Pacific, where China, the United States, Australia and other regional powers are competing for influence through defence partnerships, infrastructure investment and diplomatic engagement with strategically located island nations.