China Fires Intercontinental Ballistic Missile into Pacific
Beijing has conducted a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, describing it as part of its regular training. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Beijing has characterized the “routine” test as the first of its kind since 1980, emphasizing that it was not aimed at any particular country.
The Chinese military recently fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which it claims was part of regular training. This exercise appears to mark the first instance of such a test over the Pacific Ocean in more than 40 years.
Officials reported that the missile, carrying a dummy warhead, was launched from an undisclosed location at 8:44 AM Beijing time on Wednesday and fell into a specified area in international waters.
The Defense Ministry described the test as part of a “routine arrangement in our annual training plan.”
Experts have suggested that the missile used was likely a Dong Feng-41, which has an operational range of 15,000 kilometers, or its predecessor, the Dong Feng-31.
While China frequently conducts tests of short- and mid-range rockets within its territory and over the western Pacific as part of its ballistic missile program, a test that extends deep into international waters is uncommon. The last comparable launch was thought to be in 1980, when China deployed its first ICBM, the Dong Feng-5, into the Pacific Ocean.
“When they haven’t done something for 44 years and then they do it, that’s significant,” said James Acton, co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program, in remarks to The Associated Press. “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 test was monitored by several nations, including Japan and the Philippines. Japan's chief government spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi, expressed frustration that Tokyo had not been notified ahead of the launch.
China's Defense Ministry asserted that the test was not aimed at any specific nation or target and was carried out in accordance with international law. According to Xinhua, Beijing informed several “concerned” countries in advance, although the specific nations were not identified.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
The Chinese military recently fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which it claims was part of regular training. This exercise appears to mark the first instance of such a test over the Pacific Ocean in more than 40 years.
Officials reported that the missile, carrying a dummy warhead, was launched from an undisclosed location at 8:44 AM Beijing time on Wednesday and fell into a specified area in international waters.
The Defense Ministry described the test as part of a “routine arrangement in our annual training plan.”
Experts have suggested that the missile used was likely a Dong Feng-41, which has an operational range of 15,000 kilometers, or its predecessor, the Dong Feng-31.
While China frequently conducts tests of short- and mid-range rockets within its territory and over the western Pacific as part of its ballistic missile program, a test that extends deep into international waters is uncommon. The last comparable launch was thought to be in 1980, when China deployed its first ICBM, the Dong Feng-5, into the Pacific Ocean.
“When they haven’t done something for 44 years and then they do it, that’s significant,” said James Acton, co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program, in remarks to The Associated Press. “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 test was monitored by several nations, including Japan and the Philippines. Japan's chief government spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi, expressed frustration that Tokyo had not been notified ahead of the launch.
China's Defense Ministry asserted that the test was not aimed at any specific nation or target and was carried out in accordance with international law. According to Xinhua, Beijing informed several “concerned” countries in advance, although the specific nations were not identified.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
