Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned China's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test in the Pacific, warning it could cause 'considerable damage' if weaponised and fuels dangerous nuclear proliferation. The test, conducted on Monday, involved a strategic missile launched from a Chinese nuclear submarine, as reported by state news agency Xinhua.
International Condemnation Grows
Speaking during a visit to Solomon Islands, Albanese expressed concern that the test, occurring in the wake of a new Pacific treaty alliance, could undermine regional peace and stability. 'There is no doubt that this is a provocative act by China which does destabilise the region,' he said. 'The fact that this was a test of a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile, fired from a nuclear powered submarine, that is of real concern.'
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale echoed these sentiments, stating he had registered a 'strong protest' directly to China's ambassador. 'China is a good friend of Solomon Islands. But this is not something a friend does. We don't want to see any more countries – China, America, anybody – testing their ICBMs in the Pacific Islands region. That's the bottom line, be our friend but don't threaten us,' Wale said.
China's Response
China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, claimed the test was 'safe' and part of 'routine' military training, according to a translated government statement. 'The test launch is a routine part of China's annual military training, in accordance with international law and practice, and is not directed against any specific country or target. Relevant countries were notified in advance, and it complies with international law and practice. The launch activity was conducted safely, systematically, and professionally throughout. We hope relevant countries will not over-interpret it,' Mao said.
Criticism of Insufficient Notice
Australian cabinet minister Pat Conroy, responsible for defence industry and Pacific Island Affairs, pushed back on China's claims. Asked if the launch complied with international law, Conroy said: 'No it's not, to be honest. This has been a destabilising event and certainly has drawn criticism from countries in the Pacific and Asia. Secondly, it's not consistent with The Hague convention on ballistic missile testing, which would require more notice and greater information provided to countries.'
Conroy confirmed that notice came only hours before the launch, with Australian ministers Penny Wong and Richard Marles publicly confirming the warnings shortly before the event. Xinhua reported the missile was launched 'toward relevant high seas of the Pacific Ocean' and 'landed precisely within the designated waters,' but did not specify the location.
Regional Reactions
Joseph Wu, secretary-general of Taiwan's national security council, posted a map purportedly showing the missile's path travelling south-east of China, over the Philippines, passing Micronesia and Palau, landing south of Nauru. 'It's a provocation that destabilizes the IndoPacific. China just proved itself again to be a bully on the block,' he wrote.
Tommy Pigott, a US state department spokesperson, said the US wanted China to 'engage in meaningful arms control discussions' and commit to a 'regularized notification arrangement for all intercontinental-range ballistic missile and space launches.' He added: 'Beijing's rapid and opaque nuclear weapons buildup is of great concern to the region and the world.'
Australia's Concerns
Australian defence minister Richard Marles declined to specify the test location but said it was 'not particularly close' to Australia. He raised concerns about China's capabilities: 'What we're seeing here is a long-range missile test from China, which China itself has said is nuclear capable. It's been launched from a submarine, which also has implications. This is China demonstrating a much greater range in terms of being able to deploy a nuclear weapon.'
Marles added: 'Our fundamental issue in relation to China is that we have seen a very dramatic military buildup by China without that strategic reassurance. There really isn't an explanation as to why they are building the capabilities that they are, and that is fundamentally destabilising.'
