China said it test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) yesterday, firing it into the Pacific Ocean in its first such exercise in decades.
The launch sparked protests from countries in the region, with Japan saying it had not been given advance notice and expressing “serious concern” about Beijing’s military buildup.
In Taipei, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said it detected “intensive” Chinese missile firing and other drills, but did not give details.
Photo: Reuters
Beijing has stepped up its nuclear development and boosted defence spending over the past few years, with the Pentagon warning in October last year that China was developing its arsenal more quickly than the US had anticipated.
China held more than 500 operational nuclear warheads as of May last year and is likely to have more than 1,000 by 2030, it said.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force “launched an ICBM ... carrying a dummy warhead to the high seas in the Pacific Ocean at 8:44 on Sept. 25, and the missile fell into expected sea areas,” the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.
An analyst said such tests were rare.
“This is extremely unusual and likely the first time in decades that we’ve seen a test like this,” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Stanton senior fellow Ankit Panda said.
The test “likely speaks to China’s ongoing nuclear modernization manifesting in new requirements for testing,” he added.
Japan said it was given “no notice from the Chinese side in advance,” with a government spokesman adding that Beijing’s military buildup was a “serious concern.”
Australia said it was seeking “an explanation” over the launch.
New Zealand also said the launch of the missile, which landed in the South Pacific, was “an unwelcome and concerning development.”
The MND said it had detected 23 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighters and drones, operating around Taiwan carrying out long-range missions to the southeast and east of the nation.
Taiwan has dispatched its own air and naval forces to keep watch, it said.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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