China’s Ministry of Defence confirmed on Wednesday that its People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean. The test, which took place on Wednesday, involved the launch of an ICBM equipped with a dummy warhead, marking a key moment in China’s annual military exercises.
The ministry emphasized that the launch was not directed at any specific country or target and was conducted in full compliance with international law. “This missile launch is a routine arrangement of the Rocket Force’s annual military training,” the ministry said, adding that the test was aimed at evaluating the performance of the weapons system and the readiness of the troops involved.
The missile, which was fired at 8:44 AM local time (China being 2.5 hours ahead of India), fell into designated sea zones in the Pacific. The test also highlighted the long-range capabilities of China’s ICBMs, which have the potential to carry nuclear warheads over distances exceeding 5,000 kilometers.
In a statement quoted by the South China Morning Post, the Chinese Defence Ministry stated that the exercise had “achieved its expected purpose” and that all relevant nations had been informed about the launch in advance.
