Vidushi Nautiyal, Pune
China has announced the test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean while carrying a dummy warhead. According to Beijing’s defence ministry, the ICBM was fired on Wednesday at 8:44 a.m. (04:44 GMT) by the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force and it “fell into expected sea areas”. As per the statement, it was not directed at any nation or target and was part of a “routine” exercise in China’s “annual training plan”.
Although the type of missile and its flight route are still unknown, a Xinhua report said that China had “informed the countries concerned in advance”. The report also stated that the test accomplished the intended purpose and effectively evaluated the training level of the troops as well as the performance of weapons and equipment.
According to the Japanese government, “no notice” was given to it about the test launch. Despite this, a representative of the Japan Coast Guard stated that it had received on Monday a navigation warning from China regarding “space debris” in three areas of the South China Sea and the Pacific, both north of the island of Luzon in the Philippines, and in the South Pacific.
In more than 40 years, China has not made an official announcement about an ICBM test. This is believed to mark the first time a test has been launched into international waters since 1980. China had last conducted an ICBM test in May 1980, which had a 9,070km flight and a Pacific landing. It is regarded as one of China’s most significant naval operations and featured eighteen Chinese naval vessels.
China primarily tests its intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) domestically, most landing westward into the Taklamakan Desert in the Xinjiang province.
During a routine press conference in December 2013, a representative from the Chinese defense ministry was questioned regarding an intercontinental ballistic missile test conducted from a submarine in the Bohai Sea, an inland sea near China’s northeast coast. The spokeswoman said that it is usual for China to carry out planned scientific research experiments within its territory.
Analysts claim that the launch is meant to send out a “powerful signal intended to intimidate everyone,” particularly because it is currently at odds with several of its neighbors.
China and the Philippines’ ships have been colliding in disputed waters on a regular basis, which has escalated tensions between them. Japan dispatched fighter planes last month in response to what it called a “utterly unacceptable” move as that a Chinese spy plane had allegedly violated its airspace.