China launched a nuclear-capable ballistic missile from a submarine on Monday, a demonstration of force that occurred as neighboring countries were signing a mutual defense agreement and shortly before a NATO summit.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) fired the missile from a Type 094 nuclear submarine, marking the first such test since the beginning of 2024, according to state media reports. The exact time and location of the launch were not specified.
New Zealand reported that the missile landed within the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, an area designated to prohibit the use and testing of atomic weapons. This incident occurred as New Zealand was signing a mutual defense agreement with Fiji.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the launch was conducted safely and appropriately. She advised relevant countries in the Pacific region against overinterpreting the event.
"We hope relevant countries will not over-interpret the matter," Ning said during a briefing in Beijing.