U.S. voices concern over China's intercontinental range missile test

Lead

China conducted a test launch of a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine in the South Pacific on July 6, according to multiple reports. The missile, which carried a dummy warhead, was fired at 12:01 p.m., as announced by the official Xinhua News Agency. The United States expressed concern over the launch and urged China to engage in meaningful arms control discussions.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the event varied in emphasis. The South China Morning Post highlighted the technological milestone, describing the test as an intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile that placed China in an "elite club" of nations, alongside the United States, Russia, Britain, and France. The outlet reported that the missile traveled about 7,300km and landed near the Solomon Islands.

In separate reporting, the South China Morning Post focused on Taiwan's ability to detect the launch, stating that the island's AN/FPS-115 Pave Paws long-range early-warning radar, located at the Leshan Radar Station in Hsinchu county, detected the missile soon after it was launched from a nuclear-powered submarine in the South China Sea. The report, citing a senior Taiwanese official as quoted by the Liberty Times, said the system tracked the missile's trajectory during the initial phase of flight. The radar, purchased from the United States and situated at 2,600 meters above sea level, can detect missile launches up to 5,000km away.

The Hindu — World reported the US response in detail, quoting Tommy Pigott, spokesperson for the US Department of State, who said the United States monitored the test launch of an unarmed intercontinental-range ballistic missile that landed in the southern Pacific Ocean. Pigott stated that "Beijing's rapid and opaque nuclear weapons buildup is of great concern to the region and the world," and he urged 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 the other P5 members. He added that "the United States remains steadfast in our defense commitments to our allies and partners."

Another report from The Hindu — World focused on the international notification aspect, stating that New Zealand was informed of the planned launch hours beforehand. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters was quoted as saying, "It appears that despite our long-standing concerns about this type of activity, China carried out the test within hours of informing us."

The South China Morning Post also reported that the test was the first publicly disclosed long-range submarine-based test by the People's Liberation Army Navy since 1982, according to analysts. The outlet suggested the missile was likely fired from a Type 094 Jin-class nuclear-powered submarine, and that the test demonstrated China's growing second-strike capability.

Key Claims

• China test-launched a nuclear-capable missile from a nuclear-powered submarine in the Pacific Ocean, as reported by The Hindu — World.
• The US voiced concern over the test and urged China to engage in meaningful arms control discussions, according to The Hindu — World.
• The missile traveled about 7,300km and landed near the Solomon Islands, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
• China joined an elite club of nations with intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile capability, according to the South China Morning Post.
• New Zealand was informed of the planned launch hours beforehand, as reported by The Hindu — World and confirmed in a statement from Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
• Taiwan gained critical information about the launch through its long-range early-warning radar system, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Perspectives

US State Department: The United States expressed concern over China's rapid and opaque nuclear weapons buildup, urged China to engage in meaningful arms control discussions, and reaffirmed defense commitments to allies and partners, as stated by spokesperson Tommy Pigott.

China (PLA Navy / Xinhua): China described the test as a routine arrangement of annual training for the PLA Navy, said it had notified relevant countries in advance, and asserted that the test complies with international law and international practice, as reported by The Hindu — World and the South China Morning Post.

New Zealand: Foreign Minister Winston Peters noted New Zealand's long-standing concerns about such activity, and that China carried out the test within hours of informing the government, as quoted in The Hindu — World.

Taiwan (senior official): A senior Taiwanese official, quoted via the Liberty Times in the South China Morning Post, highlighted that Taiwan's long-range early-warning radar detected the missile soon after launch, providing critical information through intelligence sharing with Washington.