China test-fires intercontinental ballistic missile into Pacific Ocean
What's the story
China's defense ministry announced on Wednesday that it had successfully test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean. The ICBM, carrying a simulated warhead, was launched by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force at 08:44am on September 25. The ministry stated that this launch is part of their routine annual training plan and is not intended to target any specific country.
Unprecedented disclosure
China's missile test: A 1st in public acknowledgment
This is the first time China has publicly acknowledged launching an ICBM into the Pacific Ocean. The defense ministry confirmed that "China notified relevant countries in advance" and that the test "achieved the expected purpose." Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told AFP that such tests are typically conducted within China's airspace, making this event "extremely unusual."
Regional tension
Taiwan responds to China's missile test
Following China's announcement, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense stated that the PLA has been intensively executing missile launches and other training exercises. On Wednesday, Taiwan detected 23 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighters and drones, operating around its territory. The ministry also noted "intensive" Chinese missile firing and other drills but did not provide specific details.
Nuclear arsenal
China's nuclear capabilities and global implications
In a report published last year, the US Defense Department said that China possessed over 500 operational nuclear warheads as of May 2023. By 2030, this number is expected to exceed 1,000. That figure is a fraction of the more than 5,000 warheads that the US and Russia claim to have. The Pentagon also revealed that China's military is constructing hundreds of secret silos for land-based ICBMs.
Missile capabilities
China's latest ICBM and nuclear policy
China's latest known ICBM is the DF-41, which first came into service in 2017. It has an operational range of up to 12,000-15,000km (7,460-14999km), making it capable of reaching the US mainland. Despite concerns over its nuclear build-up, Beijing maintains a "no first use" policy for its nuclear weapons. The Chinese military has underlined that the Central Military Commission, led by President Xi Jinping, is the sole nuclear command authority.