China says it fired submarine-launched missile test in Pacific

DPAUpdated Mon, July 6, 2026 at 8:19 AM UTC1 min readAdd Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.Key takeawaysPowered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.

• China's military successfully test-fired a strategic missile into the Pacific Ocean from a nuclear-powered submarine carrying a dummy warhead as part of routine exercises.
• The missile landed in its designated target area, with the test forming part of China's annual military exercises conducted in accordance with international law.
• Australia and Japan expressed concern over the missile test, with Australia calling it "destabilizing" for the region and Japan lodging concerns with China over its military activities.

See more

China's military said on Monday it had successfully test-fired a strategic missile into the Pacific Ocean from a nuclear-powered submarine, describing the launch as a routine exercise.

China's naval forces said the missile, which carried a dummy warhead, landed in its designated target area. It did not disclose when the test took place or provide further details about the launch, which is unusual given the rarity of publicly announced missile tests.

According to the navy, the launch formed part of its annual military exercises and was conducted in accordance with international law. The military said relevant countries had been notified in advance and stressed that the test was not directed at any specific country.

Test launch prompts concern in the region

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canberra had made it clear to Beijing that it viewed the missile test as "destabilizing" for the region, according to Australian media reports.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Japan also lodged concerns with China over its military activities, the Japanese Defence Ministry said on the social media platform X.

China rarely discloses tests of ballistic missiles, some of which are capable of carrying nuclear warheads. In September 2024, the Chinese military unexpectedly launched an intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a dummy warhead into the Pacific for the first time in decades, a test that drew widespread international attention.

Separately, China on Monday began a joint naval exercise with Russia in waters near the northern Chinese port city of Qingdao. The annual drills are aimed at "jointly responding to threats to maritime security," China's Defence Ministry said.