Beijing describes the launch as routine military training, while Australia, Japan and New Zealand voice concern.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy carried out a successful test launch of a strategic missile from a nuclear submarine on Monday, describing the exercise as part of its annual military training and saying it complied with international law and international practice.

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According to the PLA Navy, a strategic nuclear submarine launched a strategic missile carrying a dummy warhead toward designated high seas in the Pacific Ocean at 12:01 p.m. The missile landed accurately within the designated waters.

The navy said the launch was a routine component of its annual training program and that relevant countries had been notified in advance. It also stated that the exercise “complies with international law and international practice” and “is not directed at any specific country or target.”

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Una publicación compartida por Al Jazeera English (@aljazeeraenglish)

Regional responses

The launch prompted criticism and concern from Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that Canberra had been notified in advance of the planned missile test but said the launch was destabilizing for the region.

“Australia has been clear that this proposed test is in the context of a rapid military build-up by China, which is lacking in the transparency and reassurance as to intent that the region expects,” Wong told reporters in Suva, Fiji.

Japan’s government said it had been informed of the launch and had urged China to reconsider.

“We expressed our grave concern over the Chinese military’s increased activity,” the government said, adding that Japan’s coastguard had been notified by Chinese authorities about space debris that could fall within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

New Zealand said it had been informed of the planned launch only hours before it took place.

“New Zealand considers this an unwelcome and concerning development. We, like our neighbours in other Pacific countries, have no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing site for missile capability,” Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement.

China reiterated that the missile launch was a routine military exercise conducted in accordance with international law and international practice and was not directed at any specific country or target.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.