US State Dept Criticizes China's Hasty Missile Test Notification, Deviating from P5 Norms

(Central News Agency Washington, July 8, Comprehensive Foreign News) A US State Department official stated today that China's ballistic missile test on July 6 provided only a few hours' notice to the US and lacked sufficient information.

Reuters reported that the Chinese military test-fired a missile from a nuclear submarine into the Pacific on the 6th, which was covered by Chinese state media. This action drew condemnation from the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan.

A US State Department official pointed out, "China only notified the US a few hours before the launch and did not provide sufficient information, falling far short of the standards consistently followed by other nuclear-armed UN Security Council Permanent Five (P5) members."

The P5 refers to the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, recognized as the only nuclear-weapon states under the 1968 "Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons" (NPT).

The official further noted, "This test occurred at a time when China is rapidly and opaquely expanding its nuclear capabilities, raising significant concerns in the region."

The official told Reuters via a statement that launching such a nuclear-capable missile without participating in regular prior notification diplomatic mechanisms is an "irresponsible" act.

The official said, "We urge Beijing to engage in substantive dialogue on strategic stability and arms control issues," and that the US "will continue to firmly uphold its defense commitments to allies and partners."

In response, the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Compiled by Chen Zhengjian) 1150709

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