Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes Staff
D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Political Blogs.
China’s Rare ICBM Launch into Pacific Waters
In a significant move, China successfully test launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) carrying a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean, according to its defence ministry. The missile was launched at 08:44 local time (04:44 GMT) on Wednesday, marking a rare event as Chinese missile tests typically occur domestically. The ministry described the launch as "routine" and part of its "annual training," although nuclear weapons experts expressed surprise, as such launches into international waters have not been routine for China. The last known instance occurred in 1980 when an ICBM landed in the Pacific after a 9,070km flight. This recent test signals a shift in China’s missile testing strategy, raising concerns across the region.
While China informed certain countries in advance, Japan stated it received no prior notice of the test, sparking unease. Japan's defence ministry confirmed that no damage occurred but emphasized its commitment to maintaining vigilance against Chinese military activities. This missile launch highlights China's growing military assertiveness, particularly in the face of strained relations with several regional powers.
Rising Regional Tensions and Global Implications
The timing of China's missile launch comes at a delicate moment, with heightened tensions across the Asia Pacific region. Strained relations between China and Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan are contributing to an increasingly fragile geopolitical landscape. Drew Thompson, a visiting research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, noted the intimidating nature of the test, which seems designed to send a strong message to both regional and global audiences. Despite China's claim that the launch was not aimed at any specific country, it comes as tensions between Beijing and Manila continue to rise, especially following several incidents involving Chinese and Philippine ships in disputed waters. Japan, too, has found itself at odds with China, most recently scrambling fighter jets in response to a Chinese spy plane allegedly breaching its airspace.
China's actions also draw scrutiny from the United States, particularly as Washington continues to bolster Taiwan’s defences in the face of Beijing’s claims over the self governed island. Taiwan’s defence ministry confirmed an increase in Chinese military drills and missile launches, which it interprets as "greyzone warfare" aimed at normalizing China's incursions into Taiwanese airspace and waters.
Although relations between China and the US have seen some improvement, Beijing’s growing assertiveness, combined with its suspension of nuclear arms control talks with Washington earlier this year, underscores the complexity of the situation. With the Pentagon estimating that China has more than 500 operational nuclear warheads expected to rise to over 1,000 by 2030 China’s latest missile test signals its determination to assert its military capabilities in an increasingly tense global environment.
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