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Seong Hyeon Choi

Amber Wang

The People’s Liberation Army launched its first known intercontinental ballistic missile test in 44 years on Wednesday morning, sending an ICBM into the Pacific Ocean, according to the Chinese defence ministry.
China’s latest known ICBM is the DF-41, which first came into service in 2017 and has an operational range of up to 12,000-15,000km (7,460-9,320 miles), capable of reaching the US mainland.
An ICBM typically has a range greater than 5,500km (3,420 miles) and is designed to carry nuclear warheads.


The defence ministry said the PLA’s Rocket Force successfully launched an ICBM carrying a simulated warhead that “accurately landed in the predetermined sea area” in the high seas.
“This missile launch is a routine arrangement of the rocket force’s annual military training. It effectively tests the performance of weapons and equipment and the level of troop training,” the ministry said.
“[It] achieved the expected purpose. China notified relevant countries in advance.”
It is the first time in 44 years that China is known to have successfully conducted an atmospheric test of an ICBM over the high seas.
In May 1980, a DF-5 – China’s first ICBM – flew more than 9,000km (5,590 miles) from the Jiuquan satellite launch centre in the northwestern province of Gansu, reaching its designated target area in the South Pacific in half an hour.
Missile activities have been ratcheting up in the Asia-Pacific region. Earlier this month, North Korea conducted several short-range ballistic missile tests, flying towards the Sea of Japan, or East Sea.


In April, the US Army deployed its mid-range capability (MRC) missile system during its joint exercise with the Philippines.
It was the first deployment of such a weapon in the Asia-Pacific region since the 1987 intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF) treaty between the US and the then Soviet Union that banned land-based missiles ranging from 500km to 5,500km (311-3,420 miles).
Washington resumed development of intermediate-range missiles after withdrawing from the INF treaty in 2019, citing Moscow’s alleged violations of the agreement, and during an expansion of China’s rocket force.
According to a Pentagon report on China’s military and security development published in October last year, the PLA Rocket Force is “advancing its long-term modernisation plans to enhance its ‘strategic deterrence’ capabilities”, including the development of new ICBMs.
The report said China had “doubled and continues to grow the number of launchers at most ICBM units”, and estimated there were around 350 Chinese ICBMs, including the DF-31 and DF-41, in 2022, with three new solid-propellant silo fields under construction.
Beijing has not disclosed where the missile landed nor its trajectory.
But according to tracking by the Pacific Centre for Island Security, a Guam-based research institute, the ICBM was launched from Hainan Island. The centre posted a map on X that suggests the missile flew around 12,000km towards the southern Pacific Ocean, passing near the northern Philippines and Guam, and landed in waters near French Polynesia.
Military commentator Song Zhongping noted that the launch marked China’s second comprehensive test and evaluation of its ICBM capabilities, and showed the Chinese missile’s reliability.
“This time, the rocket force launched the missile towards a specific area of the Pacific Ocean to test its full trajectory, representing a thorough assessment of the weapon system,” he said.
“This also indicates that the rocket force’s missile technology is mature, the performance is reliable, and it possesses strong operational capabilities.”
According to Song, the ICBM tested on Wednesday could have been either a DF-31 or the DF-41. “This capability can deter certain countries from attempting nuclear coercion against China,” he added.


Nuclear expert Wu Riqiang from Tsinghua University said China had clearly stated that Wednesday’s test involved an ICBM, reflecting a higher level of transparency compared to the 1980 test.
Wu noted that state news agency Xinhua had announced ahead of the May 1980 launch that China intended to conduct a test of a “carrier rocket”. He added that it was “normal practice” for countries to conduct ICBM tests in the high seas.
Japan’s coastguard received a navigation warning from Chinese authorities on Monday about potential “space debris” in three zones: the South China Sea; north of the Philippines’ Luzon Island; and the South Pacific, according to a report by NHK.
The Japanese broadcaster also reported on Wednesday afternoon that the country’s defence ministry had received no reports “as yet” of damage to its vessels.
“We will continue to collect and analyse information on the movements of the Chinese military and will take all possible precautions in our vigilance and monitoring,” the ministry said.


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China

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Test by PLA Rocket Force ‘achieves expected purpose’ and is a routine part of annual military training, Beijing says


Test by PLA Rocket Force ‘achieves expected purpose’ and is a routine part of annual military training, Beijing says.


China’s military drills

With launch into Pacific Ocean, China tests ICBM that could reach the US mainland

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Test by PLA Rocket Force ‘achieves expected purpose’ and is a routine part of annual military training, Beijing says

Test by PLA Rocket Force ‘achieves expected purpose’ and is a routine part of annual military training, Beijing says