China launches nuclear-capable missile into Pacific Ocean

A Chinese submarine launched a nuclear-capable ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean on Monday in a planned military exercise, China‘s official Xinhua news agency has said.

The missile carrying a dummy warhead was fired by an unspecified Chinese navy submarine at 12:01 p.m. Beijing time and “accurately fell into the predetermined sea area,” the report said.

The announcement came shortly after officials in Australia and New Zealand said they had been notified of an upcoming Chinese missile test in the South Pacific.

It was the second such event since China’s Rocket Force fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the same waters in September 2024.

“This routine missile test is part of China’s annual military training. Relevant countries were notified in advance,” the brief Xinhua report said.

“It complies with international law and practice and is not directed at any specific country or target,” the statement said.

This is a developing story. More to follow.