China Tests Submarine-Launched Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Claims It's Not Targeting Any Specific Country

(CNA Taipei, July 6) China test-fired a submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead into the Pacific Ocean today. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning claimed this afternoon that it was a "routine arrangement for China's annual military training" and "not aimed at any specific country or target." She also stated that the launch activities "maintained safety standards and professional operations" and expressed hope that "relevant countries would not over-interpret it."

According to China's state media CCTV News, at 12:01 PM today, a strategic nuclear submarine of the PLA Navy successfully launched a submarine-launched strategic missile "carrying a training dummy warhead" into "relevant high seas in the Pacific Ocean," and it "accurately landed in the predetermined sea area." China also claimed that this action "had been notified to relevant countries in advance."

According to The Paper, at a regular press conference held by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs this afternoon, a reporter from Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) asked about this matter. In her response, Mao Ning claimed that this was a "routine arrangement for China's annual military training, in compliance with international law and international practice, and not aimed at any specific country or target."

When a reporter from Agence France-Presse (AFP) further questioned the incident, Mao Ning insisted it was "a routine military training activity, not aimed at any specific country or target, notified to relevant countries in advance, and in compliance with international law and international practice." The relevant launch activities "have always maintained safety standards and professional operations, and we hope relevant countries will not over-interpret it." (Editor: Chen Kai-yu / Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150706

Stand with the facts, your every contribution is a force to protect press freedom

Download the CNA "First-Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news in real-time

No reproduction, public broadcast, public transmission, or use of the text, images, or videos on this website is permitted without authorization.