U.S. condemns China’s submarine ICBM test into Pacific

The U.S. State Department condemned China following the test launch of an unarmed intercontinental-range ballistic missile (ICBM) from a Chinese submarine into the southern Pacific Ocean.

“The United States monitored China’s test launch from a submarine of an unarmed intercontinental-range ballistic missile, which landed in the southern Pacific Ocean,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott said in a statement Monday.

“At a time when the United States is working harder than ever to prevent nuclear proliferation, China is doing the opposite,” Pigott added. “Beijing’s rapid and opaque nuclear weapons buildup is of great concern to the region and the world.”

Senior Capt. Wang Xuemeng, a spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army Navy, said a Chinese submarine launched a strategic missile carrying a dummy warhead toward waters in the Pacific Ocean.

Wang said the missile “landed precisely within the designated waters” and described the launch as a routine part of China’s annual military training schedule. He said “relevant nations” were informed in advance.

“The operation was in accordance with international law and practice, targeting no specific country or objective,” Wang said.

CNN, citing a regional source familiar with the launch, reported that the missile traveled over the exclusive economic zones of the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Kiribati and Tuvalu before landing near the maritime boundary of either Kiribati or Tuvalu.

The Chinese navy operates two types of submarine-launched ballistic missiles, the JL-2 and JL-3, according to CNN. The JL-3 has enough range to reach the continental United States from waters off China, including the South China Sea, missile experts told the network.

“We continue to urge China to engage in meaningful arms control discussions and commit to a regularized notification arrangement for all intercontinental-range ballistic missile and space launches consistent with commitments made by all other P5 members,” the state department said. “The United States remains steadfast in our defense commitments to our allies and partners.”