China Conducts First ICBM Test Over the Pacific Since 1980
Beijing has conducted a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which the Chinese military has described as a component of regular annual training. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Beijing has conducted a test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, which the Chinese military has described as part of its routine annual training. Notably, this launch occurred over the Pacific Ocean for the first time in more than 40 years.
Chinese officials reported that the missile, equipped with a dummy warhead, was launched from an undisclosed location at 8:44 am on Wednesday, landing in a designated area of international waters. According to a statement from China’s Ministry of National Defense, this launch aligns with a “routine arrangement in our annual training plan.”
Analysts speculate that Wednesday's missile was most likely a Dong Feng-41, known for its operational range of up to 15,000 kilometers, or its predecessor, the Dong Feng-31.
While China frequently tests short- and mid-range rockets within its territory and over parts of the western Pacific as a component of its ballistic missile program, a test that penetrates so far into international waters is unusual. The last comparable launch occurred in 1980, when China tested its first developed ICBM, the Dong Feng-5, in the Pacific Ocean.
“Based on this NOTAM, I’m not expecting this to have been a DF-5 variant; educated guess that this is the first long-range Pacific test of a DF-31/DF-41,” noted Ankit Panda in a tweet.
James Acton, co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program, commented on the significance of the launch, stating, “When they haven’t done something for 44 years and then they do it, that’s significant. It’s China’s way of telling us, ‘Like you, we’re not ashamed we have nuclear weapons and we’re going to behave like a great nuclear power.’”
The missile test was monitored by several nations, including Japan and the Philippines. Japan’s senior government spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi, expressed frustration that Tokyo had not been informed beforehand about the launch.
China's defense ministry emphasized that the test was not aimed at any specific country or target, stating it was performed in compliance with international law and practices. Beijing also reportedly notified several “concerned” countries ahead of the launch, according to Xinhua, although specific countries were not named.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
Chinese officials reported that the missile, equipped with a dummy warhead, was launched from an undisclosed location at 8:44 am on Wednesday, landing in a designated area of international waters. According to a statement from China’s Ministry of National Defense, this launch aligns with a “routine arrangement in our annual training plan.”
Analysts speculate that Wednesday's missile was most likely a Dong Feng-41, known for its operational range of up to 15,000 kilometers, or its predecessor, the Dong Feng-31.
While China frequently tests short- and mid-range rockets within its territory and over parts of the western Pacific as a component of its ballistic missile program, a test that penetrates so far into international waters is unusual. The last comparable launch occurred in 1980, when China tested its first developed ICBM, the Dong Feng-5, in the Pacific Ocean.
“Based on this NOTAM, I’m not expecting this to have been a DF-5 variant; educated guess that this is the first long-range Pacific test of a DF-31/DF-41,” noted Ankit Panda in a tweet.
James Acton, co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program, commented on the significance of the launch, stating, “When they haven’t done something for 44 years and then they do it, that’s significant. It’s China’s way of telling us, ‘Like you, we’re not ashamed we have nuclear weapons and we’re going to behave like a great nuclear power.’”
The missile test was monitored by several nations, including Japan and the Philippines. Japan’s senior government spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi, expressed frustration that Tokyo had not been informed beforehand about the launch.
China's defense ministry emphasized that the test was not aimed at any specific country or target, stating it was performed in compliance with international law and practices. Beijing also reportedly notified several “concerned” countries ahead of the launch, according to Xinhua, although specific countries were not named.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
