China test-fires missile into Pacific

China's military test-fired a missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific on Monday, state media reported, drawing criticism and concern from Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan.

A People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy submarine launched the missile, carrying a dummy warhead, toward international waters in the Pacific at 12:01 p.m. (0401 GMT), the official Xinhua news agency said.

Xinhua described the launch as a "routine arrangement" of China's annual military training and not directed against any specific country or target. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the launch was conducted "safely, in a standardised and professional manner throughout."

"We hope relevant countries will not over-interpret the matter," she said at a briefing in Beijing.

Xinhua did not specify what type of missile China had launched. State-controlled tabloid Global Times, citing a military expert, said it was likely to have been the JL-3, China's most advanced submarine-launched missile, which debuted at a military parade last year. That missile could reach the continental United States from Chinese coastal waters, according to a Pentagon report.

"The US and others will be watching and analysing the test launch closely for any insights into PLA capability," said Meia Nouwens, a senior fellow for Chinese security and defence policy at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, referring to the Chinese military.

Pacific regional

powers Australia, New Zealand and Japan were given only a short period of advance notice about the test, which coincided with the signing in Fiji of a mutual defence pact between that island nation and Australia.