China Launches Intercontinental Ballistic Missile into Pacific Ocean

Beijing, China - On Wednesday, China announced that it had test launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean. The missile, which carried a dummy warhead, was fired by the People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s Rocket Force and landed in the high seas of the Pacific Ocean.

According to the Chinese Defence Ministry, the launch was part of the country's annual training plan and was not aimed at any specific country or target. The ministry noted that relevant countries had been notified in advance. The launch tested the weapon's performance and military training effectiveness, achieving the desired goals.

This is the first time since 1989 that China has successfully conducted an atmospheric test of an ICBM. The first test of a Chinese ICBM took place in May 1980, and since then, most of China's nuclear weapons tests have been conducted underground.

In related news, North Korea has recently conducted several short-range ballistic missile tests towards the Sea of Japan. Earlier this year, the US deployed its Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon, missile system to the Philippines during a joint exercise. The 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) between the US and the Soviet Union had banned all land-based missiles that could travel between 500 km and 5,500 km. However, the US suspended the INF in 2019, claiming that Russia had violated the pact by secretly testing and fielding prohibited missiles.