China Eyes Long-Range Missile Test Over South Pacific: PNG

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Beijing: China is prepared to test launch a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the South Pacific Ocean within the next 24 hours, according to Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister, generating new security worries throughout the Pacific area.

The minister stated that the missile will carry a dummy warhead as part of a long-range weapons test. Chinese officials have also informed Australia and New Zealand of the upcoming launch, although the exact launch time and impact region have not been revealed.

The reported test comes amid increased political rivalry in the Indo-Pacific, and follows Australia's signing of a new security deal with Fiji during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Pacific tour. Officials familiar with the situation stated that the timing of the launch may be taken as a demonstration of military capability, but Beijing has not publicly linked the test to regional tensions.

If carried out, it would be China's first publicly reported long-range ICBM test over the Pacific since September 2024, when the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force launched an intercontinental ballistic missile with a dummy warhead into the Pacific as part of its annual military training. China has described the launch as routine, claiming it was not aimed at any specific country.

The scheduled launch coincides with the start of joint naval operations between China and Russia off the coast of Qingdao. Following the drills, both nations are anticipated to conduct maritime patrols in areas of the Pacific Ocean.