China’s test-firing of a ballistic missile from a Type 094 Jin-class nuclear submarine into the South Pacific on July 6 has drawn sharp criticism from regional governments and sparked debate over the weapon’s capabilities. The missile, carrying a dummy warhead, landed in the South Pacific’s nuclear weapon-free zone, prompting Pacific nations to condemn the test and call for stronger regional security.
Australia’s Penny Wong said the move destabilizes the region, while New Zealand’s Winston Peters declared his country does not want China using the southern Pacific as a missile test range. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned the test shows NATO should not be naive. Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo identified the weapon as the older JL-2 with a 7,200 km range, though experts cited by the Global Times suggested the JL-3, whose range exceeds 10,000 kilometres. Former US Deputy Assistant Defence Secretary Randall Schriver said the test demonstrates enhanced nuclear triad capability primarily aimed at the United States.
The US State Department said China provided only hours of advance notice with insufficient detail. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described the launch as routine annual training not targeting any specific country, claiming China had demonstrated openness and transparency through prior notification.