China test-launches a ballistic missile in a South Pacific nuclear-free zone

China’s military test-launched a long-range ballistic missile Monday from one of its nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific, drawing protest and concerns from countries in the region.

The missile was launched at 12:01 p.m. and carried a dummy warhead, according to an announcement by the official Xinhua  News Agency. China last



conducted a missile test in the Pacific two years ago, then firing an intercontinental ballistic missile with a dummy warhead.

The launch was part of routine annual training, complied with international law and practice, and was not directed against any country or target, according to the statement from Xinhua, which was reposted by the Ministry of Defense.