- China tests intercontinental ballistic missile publicly
- Taiwan detects increased Chinese military activity
- U.S. criticizes China’s nuclear buildup transparency
For the first time, China has publicly confirmed the successful launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean, a move that could spark international concern over the country’s expanding nuclear capabilities.
The ICBM, equipped with a dummy warhead, was launched by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force at 8:44 a.m. Beijing time on Wednesday. The missile “fell into expected sea areas,” according to a statement from China’s defense ministry, which described the test as part of its “routine annual training plan” and stressed it was not aimed at any specific country or target.
China had “informed the countries concerned in advance,” Xinhua News Agency reported, though the missile’s exact path and landing location in the Pacific Ocean were not disclosed.
Xinhua also stated that the test “effectively assessed the performance of weapons and equipment, and evaluated the training level of the troops,” achieving its intended objectives.
Ankit Panda, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted that China typically conducts such missile tests within its own airspace, making this launch highly unusual. “This is likely the first time in decades we’ve seen a test like this,” he commented, suggesting it highlights China’s ongoing nuclear modernization and new testing requirements.
The PLA Rocket Force, which manages China’s conventional and nuclear missile arsenal, has been tasked with modernizing the country’s nuclear deterrent to counter advancements in U.S. missile defenses, enhanced surveillance, and strengthened alliances.
However, some analysts argue that China’s rapid nuclear buildup exceeds the requirements for maintaining a credible minimum deterrent.
Despite this, Beijing maintains a “no first use” nuclear policy, asserting that its central military commission, headed by President Xi Jinping, is the sole authority overseeing its nuclear arsenal.
China has frequently been criticized by the U.S. for the lack of transparency surrounding its nuclear expansion. In July, China halted nuclear talks with Washington in response to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
Currently, China possesses more than 500 operational nuclear warheads, with approximately 350 ICBMs in its arsenal. The Pentagon estimates that China could possess over 1,000 warheads by 2030. The Pentagon’s report also revealed that China is constructing hundreds of secret silos for land-based ICBMs.
In comparison, the U.S. and Russia each deploy approximately 1,770 and 1,710 operational warheads, respectively. The Pentagon predicts that by 2030, a significant portion of China’s nuclear arsenal will be on higher readiness levels.
Seize the opportunity: Sign up for Webull UK and receive free shares!
This test launch coincides with heightened military activities around Taiwan, a democratically governed island that China claims as its territory. Over the past five years, Taiwan has reported increasing Chinese military presence around the island.
On Wednesday, Taiwan’s defense ministry detected 23 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighter jets and drones, conducting long-range operations to the southeast and east of Taiwan.
Taiwan’s defense ministry also noted the recent detection of “intensive” Chinese missile firings and military drills, although details on their location were not provided.
In response, Taiwan dispatched its own air and naval forces to monitor the situation closely.
‘Leave Immediately,’ Starmer Urges Britons in Lebanon as UK Troops Deploy to Cyprus
