China conducted its first ICBM test in the Pacific Ocean in four decades

China called it a “routine” test that was part of its annual training plan. An analyst told AFP that such test fires had not occurred outside Chinese airspace for years.

The last publicly known time China launched an ICBM in the Pacific was in May 1980.

China said “relevant countries” had been given prior notice. However, Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters that “there was no notification from the Chinese side in advance.”

The test comes amid rising tensions in the region and concerns over China’s nuclear arsenal.

A 2023 The Pentagon Report estimated that China’s arsenal of operational nuclear warheads has grown to about 500. The Pentagon has said it expects China to have more than 1,000 operational nuclear warheads by 2030.

“China is expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other country,” Hans M Kristensen, an expert on weapons of mass destruction at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), said in June.

In July, China paused arms control and nuclear proliferation talks with the US, blaming the suspension of US arms sales to Taiwan.

Taiwan’s independence has been a decades-long grievance for Beijing. The island declared its independence from the mainland in 1949.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to attack it if it does not cede control.

“China aims to signal its growing military capabilities as the United States deepens its security ties with allies and partners in Asia,” Ali Wyne, senior research and advocacy adviser at Crisis Group, told BI.

“The timing of the test is notable, coming shortly before the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and ahead of a phone call that US President Joe Biden and his counterpart Xi Jinping are expected to have in the coming weeks. “

“Amid continued turmoil in the upper echelons of the PLA’s Missile Force, China may also be trying to telegraph that its military training continues to improve.”