US warns of growing concerns after China’s Pacific missile test

The United States has reacted to China’s recent ballistic missile test over the Pacific Ocean, urging Beijing to play a more active role in international arms control efforts.

“The United States monitored China’s test launch from a submarine of an unarmed intercontinental-range ballistic missile, which landed in the southern Pacific Ocean.

At a time when the United States is working harder than ever to prevent nuclear proliferation, China is doing the opposite. Beijing’s rapid and opaque nuclear weapons buildup is of great concern to the region and the world. We continue to urge China to engage in meaningful arms control discussions and commit to a regularized notification arrangement for all intercontinental-range ballistic missile and space launches consistent with commitments made by all other P5 members.

The United States remains steadfast in our defense commitments to our allies and partners,” the US State Department said in a statement.

Earlier, China’s Ministry of National Defence announced that the Navy of the People's Liberation Army had successfully carried out a test launch of a submarine-launched strategic missile into the Pacific Ocean.

The Chinese Defence Ministry said the launch was a routine part of the country’s annual military training program. According to the ministry, China notified relevant countries in advance, and the launch complied with international law and established international practice. It also stressed that the test was not “directed at any specific country or target.”

By Jeyhun Aghazada