A nuclear-powered People’s Liberation Army submarine fired a test missile on the high seas in the Pacific on Monday, according to Chinese state media.
The dummy warhead was fired at 12.01pm, state news agency Xinhua said.
China’s foreign ministry described the launch as a “routine arrangement” for the PLA’s annual military training, adding that it was in accordance with international law and practice, and was “not directed against any specific country or target”.
The test was China’s first known submarine-based missile test since 1982, and the first known to have been fired from a nuclear-powered submarine.
The governments of Japan and Australia confirmed they had been given advance notice of the launch.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the launch was “destabilising” to the region.
